North Korea's Potential Female Heir: The Rise of Kim Ju-ae

Speculation about Kim Ju-ae has moved from rumor to serious geopolitical discussion. South Korea’s intelligence agency now believes the teenage daughter ofNorth Koreanleader Kim Jong Un may be entering what it calls a “successor-designate stage.” If accurate, that assessment signals more than palace intrigue. It could mark the first time North Korea prepares a female heir to the Kim dynasty—an unprecedented shift in one of the world’s most rigid political systems. So who is Kim Ju-ae, and what does her growing visibility really mean? Kim Ju-ae is widely believed to be the second child of Kim Jong Un. South Korean intelligence estimates she was born in 2013, making her around 13 years old. She first appeared publicly in November 2022 at a long-range missile test. Since then, her appearances have steadily increased at weapons launches, military parades, factory visits, and major state ceremonies.