Pyongyang: North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's teenage daughter, Ju-ae, has made her first public appearance at the family mausoleum, accompanied by her father, as revealed in the North's state media images on Friday. This visit to the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun, where Kim's late father and grandfather are entombed, has fueled speculation about her potential role in the North Korean leadership succession.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the visit to the mausoleum took place on New Year's Day, with Kim, his wife, Ju-ae, and key party and government officials in attendance. Although the North's Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) did not explicitly mention Ju-ae's presence, state media photos confirmed her attendance, placing her prominently between her parents in the front row.

This marks Ju-ae's first recognized visit to the mausoleum, following her debut in North Korean state media in 2022. The KCNA reported that all attendees made a pledge to support the prosperity and development of North Korea, aligning with Kim Jong-un's leadership and vision for the nation.

The mausoleum serves as the resting place for North Korea's founder, Kim Il-sung, and former leader Kim Jong-il, Kim Jong-un's grandfather and father, respectively. Kim Jong-un himself has regularly visited the mausoleum each New Year's Day since he assumed power in 2012, with exceptions noted in the years 2018, 2024, and 2025.