Jooae Kim Absent from North Korean Media for Over a Month
Not Predecessor or Successor, but 'Kim Jong Un's Solo Stand' Purpose
Analysis Suggests Excessive Exposure Weakened Propaganda Effectiveness
Kim Ju-ae, daughter of Kim Jong-un, attending the '75th Anniversary of the Founding of the Korean People's Army' military parade on February 8 last year [Image source=Yonhap News]
Kim Ju-ae, daughter of North Korean State Affairs Commission Chairman Kim Jong-un, has not appeared in North Korean media for over a month, drawing attention to the intent behind this absence.
While it may be aimed at emphasizing the 'Kim Jong-un sole leadership system' rather than raising succession rumors about his children, some analysts suggest that excessive exposure has weakened Kim Ju-ae's 'image-making' effect.
According to the Rodong Sinmun, the official newspaper of the Workers' Party of Korea, Kim Ju-ae has not appeared since attending the completion and operation ceremony of the Kangdong General Greenhouse with Chairman Kim on the 15th of last month.
This contrasts with her earlier appearances, starting from November 2022 at the test launch site of the new intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) 'Hwasong-17,' where she had been featured multiple times in reports, increasing her presence until early this year.
Meanwhile, the expressions used by North Korean media regarding Kim Ju-ae have also changed somewhat. On the 16th of last month, North Korean state media referred to Chairman Kim and Kim Ju-ae as "great figures of the hyangdo" and reported that they toured the Kangdong General Greenhouse together with party, government, and military officials.
However, after that, Korean Central Television revised the term 'hyangdo' to 'Respected Comrade Kim Jong-un,' and the April issue of the monthly magazine Chosun also removed the parts referring to Kim Ju-ae as 'hyangdo' while covering the same content.
Chairman Kim Jong-un and his daughter Kim Ju-ae attending the '75th Anniversary of the Founding of the Armed Forces' military parade on February 8 last year [Image source=Yonhap News]
According to the Korean Language Dictionary, 'hyangdo' means "to illuminate the path forward in revolutionary struggle and lead it to the path of victory." In North Korea, it is mainly used to refer to the supreme leader. For this reason, the Ministry of Unification also stated that when this expression was used for Kim Ju-ae, "considering the protocol and expressions related to Kim Ju-ae, it cannot be ruled out that she may be a successor."
Kim Ju-ae also did not appear during the 'Day of the Sun' (April 15), the birthday of the late President Kim Il-sung, which North Korea has regarded as its most important holiday. If Kim Ju-ae were a successor, she could have been exposed at this event to solidify the 'Baekdu bloodline' image, but it is interpreted that this was not considered. Additionally, Chairman Kim recently attended military and livelihood events alone, such as the completion ceremony of the second phase of housing in the Hwasong district and the inspection test firing of new rocket artillery shells.
There are conflicting analyses regarding North Korea's recent actions.
First, it is suggested that the purpose may be to strengthen 'Kim Jong-un-ism' rather than promoting a young successor. In fact, Chairman Kim recently replaced the name of the 'Day of the Sun' with '4.15,' showing a move to erase his predecessors and stand alone. The birthday of Kim Jong-il, the former National Defense Commission Chairman, known as 'Kwangmyongsong Day,' has not been mentioned since February. This appears to be an intention to emphasize Kim Jong-un's own achievements rather than those of predecessors or successors.
Last year on February 8, during the main event of the military parade, daughter Kim Ju-ae appeared pleased as she touched the face of her father, Chairman Kim Jong-un. [Image source=Yonhap News]
Among experts, there is also an opinion that North Korea used Kim Ju-ae for Chairman Kim's 'image-making' purposes but has reduced her exposure as the effect diminished.
Hong Min, senior research fellow at the Korea Institute for National Unification, explained, "When Kim Ju-ae appeared repeatedly, residents might have felt discomfort, and externally the effect diminished, so it seems they are adjusting the level of her appearances."
Hong added, "North Korea tried to frame nuclear weapons not as aggressive tools but as a bastion of safety to protect future generations by featuring (Ju-ae) during the nuclear weapons development process, but now that symbolism seems to have faded. This way of consuming the image may not be suitable to regard (Ju-ae) as a North Korean successor."
Kim Yong-hyun, professor of North Korean studies at Dongguk University, said, "At present, it does not seem possible to definitively say Kim Ju-ae is a successor," and explained, "Kim Ju-ae has played a role in dispelling negative images of Chairman Kim."
Professor Kim added, "Interest in Kim Ju-ae has increased more than in Kim Jong-un since her appearances, and North Korea may have intended this. We need to consider whether we are being too swayed by this."
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