"North Korea's Kim Ju-ae Stamp, Signaling Start of Successor Training"

Interview with Former Unification Minister Jeong Se-hyun
"Being a Woman Doesn't Matter... Only the Party's Determination Counts"

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoon Seul-gi] As a stamp featuring Kim Ju-ae, daughter of North Korean State Affairs Commission Chairman Kim Jong-un, was issued, interpretations have been divided over whether she is confirmed as the successor. Former Minister of Unification Jeong Se-hyun analyzed that it "means the successor training has begun."

On the 20th, former Minister Jeong appeared on the YouTube channel 'Kim Eo-jun's Humility is Difficult News Factory' and said, "Even if Chairman Kim's health is not good, and considering his age, it does not mean the power is being immediately inherited," but added, "Standing next to the central platform and his father (Chairman Kim) at the military parade is not an ordinary matter."

He continued, "It means the successor status is being solidified," and "She is learning even how to wave her hand."

On the 14th, the North Korean Korea Stamp Corporation unveiled eight new stamp designs. The stamp designs were based on photos of Chairman Kim inspecting the site during the launch of North Korea's intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) "Hwasong-17" on November 18 last year, and many of the stamps feature Chairman Kim's daughter, Kim Ju-ae. The photos are the stamp designs released on the Korea Stamp Corporation's website. Photo by Korea Stamp Corporation website, Yonhap News Agency

Former Minister Jeong pointed out that while former North Korean National Defense Commission Chairman Kim Jong-il was designated as successor in 1972 and prepared for power succession over 22 years, Chairman Kim Jong-un had a short successor training period, making it difficult to establish a power base.

He said, "Chairman Kim Jong-un took power less than three years after being appointed as successor, so he struggled a lot in the early days of his rule. To strengthen his control, he executed his uncle Jang Song-thaek," adding, "It seems Chairman Kim Jong-un also thinks that a successor should be trained for more than 20 years. Otherwise, there would be no reason to put (Kim Ju-ae) on a stamp."

Regarding the view that it would be difficult for Kim Ju-ae, a female, to succeed to power, he said, "North Korea is a patriarchal society, but if the Party decides, it can be done," and added, "In old times, there were three queens in the Silla period: Seondeok, Jindeok, and Jinseong."

He further said, "If the idolization system is prepared for more than 20 years and the 25 million North Korean residents are instilled with the belief that 'Kim Ju-ae will do well,' it will be possible."

Regarding the possibility of Kim Yo-jong, North Korean Workers' Party Vice Department Director, as a successor, he said, "The emphasis has been on the Paektu bloodline of Kim Il-sung, Kim Jong-il, and Kim Jong-un," and added, "Kim Yo-jong would be sidelined, so it is difficult to say it is a fourth-generation succession."