Kim Ju-ae: Is Kim Jong-un’s Daughter Next in Line to Lead North Korea?

When North Korea’s ruling Workers’ Party of Korea (WPK) convened its congress earlier this month, the familiar rhetoric of nuclear development and a surprising suggestion of potential engagement with the United States – contingent on recognition as a nuclear power – dominated headlines. But for observers of North Korea, the meeting, held once every five years, offered a rare opportunity to assess the opaque question of succession to Kim Jong-un, who has ruled the country since the death of his father in 2011. The focus, inevitably, has fallen on his daughter, Kim Ju-ae, and whether she is being positioned as the fourth-generation leader of the Kim dynasty, which has held power since 1948.

The Ju-ae Question: Patriarchy vs. The Paektu Bloodline

Although the prevailing assumption is that Kim Jong-un has already designated Kim Ju-ae as his successor, dissenting voices have emerged, questioning whether North Korea’s deeply entrenched patriarchal norms will allow a woman to ascend to the country’s highest office. Mitch Shin, covering the Korean peninsula for the Diplomat, argues that the “most immediate and insurmountable barricade” to Kim Ju-ae’s leadership is the country’s ingrained patriarchal structure. He describes North Korea as functioning “more as a Neo-Confucian monarchy” than a socialist state, suggesting that the prospect of elderly generals pledging allegiance to a young woman is a “structural anomaly” that threatens the regime’s internal logic.

Whereas, others contend that the principle of direct lineage from the Mount Paektu bloodline – a cornerstone of North Korean legitimacy – will supersede any patriarchal considerations. Shreyas Reddy, a correspondent for NK News, suggests that the attention given to Kim Ju-ae is more performative than substantive, aligning with a broader effort to portray Kim Jong-un as a benevolent “father” figure to the nation. He writes that it’s premature to declare her the next leader before the regime is ready to do so.

Beyond Ju-ae: The Possibility of a Hidden Heir

Shin proposes an alternative theory: that Kim Ju-ae may be serving as a “human shield” for a son, whose existence has been the subject of speculation. This would allow the actual successor to remain out of the public eye, shielded from scrutiny. South Korean intelligence officials reportedly told lawmakers in 2023 that Kim Jong-un and his wife, Ri Sol-ju, may have a son and a younger child of unknown gender, though these reports remain unconfirmed. Kim Jong-un has not publicly acknowledged a son to any foreign interlocutors, and claims of his existence have been based on “flimsy intelligence reports” regarding deliveries to the Kim family residence.

A Daughter’s Rising Profile: Symbolism and Substance

Since her first public appearance at a long-range missile test in November 2022, Kim Ju-ae has increasingly accompanied her father at significant events, including weapons tests, military parades, factory openings, and a visit to a coastal resort. She even travelled with him to Beijing in September 2025 for a summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping. This increased visibility has fueled speculation about her potential role, though North Korean state media consistently refer to her as the leader’s “respected” or “most beloved” child, never publishing her given name.

The South Korean national intelligence service recently claimed that Kim Jong-un is nearing a decision to formally name her as his successor. However, Leif-Eric Easley, a professor at Ewha University in Seoul, suggests she is likely not yet old enough to hold an official party title and participate fully in the congress. Lee Sung-Yoon, a principal fellow at the Sejong Institute in Seoul, believes Kim Jong-un has already effectively groomed his daughter as his successor, citing her presence at dozens of official events, including a symbolic visit to the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun – the mausoleum of Kim Il-sung and Kim Jong-il – on New Year’s Day.

The Congress and its Aftermath: A Focus on Military Strength

The Ninth Congress of the Workers’ Party of Korea, which concluded on February 22, 2026, saw Kim Jong-un re-elected as secretary-general, extending his 15-year rule. Al Jazeera reported that the congress also involved the election of Central Committee members and modifications to party rules, though details remain scarce. The congress underscored North Korea’s continued prioritization of military development, with Kim Jong-un vowing to “radically improve” the country’s “war deterrence,” particularly its nuclear forces, as reported by the BBC. This commitment to nuclear capabilities persists despite long-standing international sanctions and the country’s economic challenges.

The congress concluded with a military parade in Pyongyang, where Kim Jong-un and Kim Ju-ae appeared together, wearing matching leather coats and engaging in animated conversation. Analyst Lim Eul-chul interpreted this as a deliberate symbolic gesture, linking the attire to the image of the leader as the guarantor of national security and future prosperity. The act of dressing his daughter in the same attire, he argued, was unlikely to be accidental.

Economic Realities and External Influences

While the congress focused heavily on military strength, Kim Jong-un also acknowledged the need to improve the economy and the standard of living for the North Korean people. Deutsche Welle reported that Kim stated North Korea had overcome its “worst difficulties” since the last congress in 2021, attributing this to stronger ties with Russia and China. North Korea’s economy, one of the world’s most isolated, experienced a 3.7% growth in 2024, according to the South Korea-based Korean Association of International Studies, partially fueled by increased economic cooperation with Russia.

What to Expect: Continued Ambiguity and a Gradual Reveal

For now, the question of Kim Jong-un’s successor remains unanswered. The regime is unlikely to build a definitive announcement until it is ready, and the ambiguity surrounding Kim Ju-ae’s role will likely continue. The coming months and years will likely see a gradual unveiling of any succession plans, with Kim Ju-ae continuing to appear alongside her father at key events, further solidifying her public profile. The international community will be closely watching for any shifts in policy or signals regarding the future leadership of North Korea, a nation whose nuclear ambitions and internal dynamics continue to pose a significant challenge to regional and global security.