Pyongyang: North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's teenage daughter, Ju-ae, has paid tribute at the family mausoleum for the first time, reinforcing her image as North Korea's potential successor of the ruling family's "Paektu bloodline," experts said.
According to Yonhap News Agency, some observers noted that her presence at the mausoleum, alongside her father and mother, appears to emphasize the image of a "loving family," rather than a formal sign of her succession status. Ju-ae, believed to be born in 2013, was seen at the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun with her parents on New Year's Day, as shown in photos published by North Korea's state media.
The Kumsusan Palace of the Sun, where Kim's late grandfather and father lie in state, symbolizes the legacy of power succession within the ruling family. This visit marked Ju-ae's first known appearance at the mausoleum since her debut in North Korean state media in November 2022 during a visit to a missile launch site.
Experts suggest that Ju-ae's presence at the mausoleum, prominently positioned in the front row, may be intended to highlight her status as a potential successor. Lim Eul-chul, a professor at Kyungnam University's Institute for Far Eastern Studies, indicated that North Korea may be preparing to test her political role more earnestly starting in 2026, with an upcoming key party congress potentially clarifying her status.
In January 2024, South Korea's spy agency assessed Ju-ae as the North's "most likely successor," marking the first evaluation of her potential role in the regime. Since her public debut, Ju-ae has been seen accompanying her father on inspections of key military and economic sites, seemingly building her narrative as a potential successor.
Towards the end of last year, Ju-ae appeared frequently with Kim Jong-un during inspections, including at the site of a nuclear-powered submarine and at openings of regional factories. Nevertheless, some experts argue that Ju-ae's tributes are designed to emphasize a family image or symbolize the future generation.
Hong Min, a senior researcher at the Korea Institute for National Unification, suggested that the presence of Kim Jong-un's wife, Ri Sol-ju, alongside Ju-ae, reinforces the family image rather than focusing solely on Ju-ae's succession prospects.
While North Korea's state media released photos of Ju-ae paying tribute to former leaders, it did not report on her presence specifically. The situation draws parallels to 2010 when Kim Jong-un was officially named as Kim Jong-il's successor after attending a tribute at the mausoleum with his father.
Experts are now watching whether Ju-ae's status will be officially clarified following the upcoming ninth party congress. Professor Lim speculated that Ju-ae might appear on the main podium or could be addressed as "comrade" at the party event. North Korea's state media has already begun referring to her as Kim's "respected" daughter, further fueling speculation about her future role.