North Korea's Kim Ju-ae Watches Game Next to Kim Jong-un... Kim Yo-jong Sits Behind

Jooae Kim Next to Kim Jong Un on Day of the Sun Following Gwangmyeongseongjeol
Yeojeong Kim Still in the Back Row but... from the Edge to the Center

On the occasion of the Day of the Sun (Kim Il-sung's birthday, April 15), North Korean State Affairs Commission Chairman Kim Jong-un was seen watching a sports event together with his daughter Kim Ju-ae. Kim Ju-ae sat next to Chairman Kim again, following the Day of the Shining Star (Kim Jong-il's birthday, February 16). Kim Yo-jong, Deputy Director of the Workers' Party, still sat behind them but moved from the edge to a more central position.

North Korean State Affairs Commission Chairman Kim Jong-un watched a rematch of a sports competition between the Cabinet and the Ministry of Defense staff to celebrate the Day of the Sun (President Kim Il-sung's birthday, April 15), according to a report by the Korean Central News Agency on the 17th. In the released photos, Chairman Kim was seen attending together with his daughter Ju-ae and his younger sister, Party Vice Director Kim Yo-jong. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

According to the Korean Central News Agency on the 17th, Chairman Kim attended the official event with his daughter Kim Ju-ae to mark the Day of the Sun. The agency reported, "On the occasion of the greatest joyous Day of the Sun for the nation, a rematch of a sports game among the staff of the Cabinet and the Ministry of Defense was held."

Kim Yo-jong, Deputy Director of the Workers' Party, also attended the event. In the released photos, Kim Ju-ae is seen sitting next to Chairman Kim, while Kim Yo-jong is seated centrally right behind them.

Kim Ju-ae has appeared mainly at military-related events such as local inspections and military parades, starting with the launch site of the intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) Hwasong-17 in November last year. This is her 12th public appearance.

In particular, the repeated appearances of Chairman Kim and Kim Ju-ae together have sparked speculation about succession. The April 14 edition of Rodong Sinmun featured photos of Chairman Kim and Kim Ju-ae taken during the test launch of the new solid-fuel ICBM Hwasongpho-18 on the 13th, spanning pages 1 to 3, which analysts interpret as an attempt to showcase Kim Ju-ae's special status.

Jung Sung-jang, Director of the Unification Strategy Research Office at the Sejong Institute, explained in an analysis on the 14th, "On page 2 of Rodong Sinmun, a photo was published showing them smiling brightly together with Kim Jong-un and Kim Ju-ae, seemingly to dispel some societal rumors about a 'power game' between Ri Sol-ju and Kim Yo-jong." He added, "North Korea is expected to continue highlighting Kim Ju-ae's presence through photos and videos and eventually reveal her name at a certain point."

North Korean State Affairs Commission Chairman Kim Jong Un watched a sports match held among Cabinet and Ministry of Defense employees to commemorate the Day of the Shining Star (February 16) together with his daughter Kim Ju Ae and his younger sister, Kim Yo Jong, Deputy Director of the Workers' Party, the Korean Central News Agency reported on the 18th. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

However, some analyses suggest it is premature to definitively label Kim Ju-ae as the successor. Since Chairman Kim is reported to have a son, Kim Ju-ae may simply be a figure emphasizing the prestige of the Paektu bloodline. The Paektu bloodline refers to the direct family line of Kim Il-sung, including Kim Il-sung, Kim Jong-il, and Kim Jong-un.

Meanwhile, as Kim Ju-ae's prominence increases, there are observations that the status of 'number two' Kim Yo-jong has undergone some changes. Previously, at the February military parade, Kim Yo-jong was seen watching over Kim Ju-ae from the back of the venue instead of sitting on the presidium. At the sports event held on February 17 to commemorate the Day of the Shining Star, Kim Ju-ae attracted attention by sitting centrally next to Chairman Kim in the stands, while Kim Yo-jong was seated at the edge of the back row.