SAEDNEWS: Kim Jong-un’s teenage daughter Kim Ju-ae appeared in Beijing ahead of Xi Jinping’s parade, intensifying speculation that she is being groomed as North Korea’s first female ruler.
According to Saed News; The appearance of Kim Jong-un’s daughter, Kim Ju-ae, in Beijing ahead of Xi Jinping’s “victory day” parade has intensified speculation that she is being prepared to become North Korea’s first female leader.
State media photographs showed the teenager stepping off her father’s armored train in the Chinese capital, greeted by officials at the start of what many view as her international debut. Although her name and age have never been officially confirmed, Ju-ae has long been present at her father’s side during major events, including missile launches and the opening of the Wonsan Kalma resort.
If, as many analysts suggest, she is her father’s chosen successor, Ju-ae would become the fourth Kim to lead North Korea since its founding in 1948. First identified in 2013 by NBA star Dennis Rodman, who claimed to have held her as a baby during a visit to Pyongyang, she has since become a regular figure in Kim’s entourage, alongside his influential sister, Kim Yo-jong.
North Korean state media did not acknowledge Kim’s children until Ju-ae appeared at the launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile in 2022. Later, she was seen at an army parade and officially referred to as Kim’s “respected” daughter. South Korea’s intelligence service has reported that Kim has three children, including Ju-ae.
In Beijing, Ju-ae, wearing a navy blue suit, stood behind her father as he stepped off the train, marking their first overseas trip together. Analysts argue that her presence at the parade, viewed as part of an emerging anti-western alliance, strengthens the theory that she is Kim’s heir apparent.
“Right now, Ju-ae is the frontrunner as next supreme leader of North Korea,” said Michael Madden, a North Korea leadership expert. “She is gaining practical experience that would benefit her as the country’s future leader or senior elite.”
Unlike her father, Kim Jong-un never accompanied his father, Kim Jong-il, on overseas trips, making Ju-ae’s public debut particularly notable. South Korean intelligence believes she is being prepared for leadership, though how and when remains uncertain, especially given doubts about how elites would respond to a female ruler.
Despite earlier health concerns, Kim Jong-un has appeared stable in recent years. Yet Ju-ae’s prominence has grown, with her attending military, political, and even diplomatic events, including a ceremony at the Russian embassy in Pyongyang in May.
Experts say her role is expanding beyond domestic appearances. “If this is part of a succession campaign, then Ju-ae’s presence in Beijing could be seen as her official debut on the international stage,” noted Rachel Minyoung Lee of the Stimson Center.
