'Defector Diplomat' Go Young-hwan... Analysis of Kim Joo-ae's Background
"After Kim Joo-ae Was Put Forward, Sister Kim Yo-jong Was Pushed Aside"
A former North Korean diplomat diagnosed that a 'certain power struggle' is taking place between Kim Jong-un, the State Affairs Commission Chairman's younger sister, wife, and daughter.
Ko Young-hwan, former deputy director of the National Security Strategy Institute, pointed out in an interview with local U.S. media on the 21st (local time) that "after Kim Jong-un's daughter Kim Ju-ae was introduced to the public, his younger sister Kim Yo-jong, the Workers' Party vice department director, was pushed aside," and claimed that this situation could lead to tensions surrounding the succession structure. Ko, who worked as the first secretary at the North Korean embassy in Congo before defecting and entering South Korea in 1991, made the remarks.
Kim Jong-un's daughter Kim Ju-ae attending the '75th Army Foundation Day' military parade [Image source=Yonhap News]
He analyzed, "Kim Yo-jong, who was one of Kim Jong-un's closest aides performing numerous tasks at the center of the regime, was seen as excessively aggressive by Ri Sol-ju, whose children are still very young," and added, "It appears that a certain power struggle is underway between Kim Yo-jong and Ri Sol-ju."
Among Kim Jong-un's three children, Kim Ju-ae, identified as the second child, first appeared last November at the launch site of the intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) Hwasong-17. Since then, she has increased her presence by accompanying Kim Jong-un at major events such as military site inspections and the 75th anniversary parade of the Korean People's Army. In contrast, with Kim Ju-ae's emergence, Kim Yo-jong seems to be gradually distancing herself from her brother's side.
For example, at the parade on the 8th of last month, Kim Ju-ae occupied the central seat in the presidium, while Kim Yo-jong was barely visible on the broadcast screen. At a soccer match between cabinet officials and Ministry of Defense staff on the 17th of the same month, Kim Ju-ae was seen watching beside Kim Jong-un, but Kim Yo-jong was pushed to a corner in the back row. Notably, no one sat next to her, and the focus was blurry, leading to various interpretations.
Kim Jong-un watching a sports game with his daughter. His younger sister Kim Yo-jong is sitting alone in the back row corner. Photo by Korean Central News Agency
Ko said about these changes, "All South Koreans saw this scene," and added, "It proves that Kim Yo-jong is losing her place, being pushed aside by her 'niece' Kim Ju-ae." Regarding Kim Jong-un's intention in putting his young daughter at the forefront, he interpreted it as "not only hinting at the fourth-generation succession to high-ranking officials and military elites but also aiming to show the image of a 'father' who loves his daughter and cares for the country's future."
Additionally, Ko predicted that there might still be room for involvement concerning the 'North Korean human rights' issue, which the North Korean regime reacts to most sensitively. He suggested that before negotiations on the North Korean nuclear issue, the human rights issue could be brought to the table first, considering providing rice or flour on the condition of improving North Korea's human rights situation. Specifically, he proposed humanitarian aid through neutral countries like Switzerland rather than South Korea, the U.S., Japan, or the United Nations.
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