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 a potential successor of the ruling family's "Paektu bloodline," experts said.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Ju-ae, believed to have been born in 2013, was seen paying tribute at the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun, where Kim's late grandfather and father lie in state, alongside her parents on New Year's Day. This marked her first known visit to the mausoleum since she appeared in North Korean state media for the first time in November 2022, during a visit to a missile launch site.
The Kumsusan Palace of the Sun holds significant symbolism for the power succession of North Korea's ruling family. Experts suggest that Ju-ae's presence there, particularly her position in the front row, may be intended to emphasize her status as a potential successor of the Paektu bloodline. Lim Eul-chul, a professor at Kyungnam University's Institute for Far Eastern Studies, noted that this gesture indicates North Korea reaffirming Ju-ae as a "successor of revolution," inheriting the legacy of the former leaders.
In January 2024, South Korea's spy agency assessed Ju-ae as the North's "most likely successor," marking its first evaluation of her potential role in the regime. Since her first public appearance in 2022, Ju-ae has frequently accompanied her father during inspections of key military and economic sites, including visits to a nuclear-powered submarine construction site and opening ceremonies for regional factories.
However, some observers argue that Ju-ae's tribute may be more about highlighting a "loving family" image rather than confirming her as a successor. Hong Min, a senior researcher at the Korea Institute for National Unification, pointed out that the presence of Kim Jong-un's wife, Ri Sol-ju, at the mausoleum supports the notion of projecting a family image.
While North Korea's state media released photos of Ju-ae's tribute, it did not report on her presence specifically. In contrast, Kim Jong-un was officially recognized as Kim Jong-il's successor in September 2010, following a key party meeting. Attention is now focused on whether Ju-ae's status will be formally clarified at the upcoming ninth party congress.
Professor Lim speculates that Ju-ae may appear on the main podium at the party congress or be addressed as "comrade" during the event. North Korea's state media has recently begun referring to Ju-ae as Kim's "respected" daughter, a shift from previous titles, fueling speculation about her future role as a successor.