Continuity of power in North Korea – who’s next (video)

Kim Jong-un’s daughter appeared in public for the first time in 2022 and has recently accompanied her father everywhere. South Korean intelligence believes that the head of North Korea is preparing a successor.

She appears to be approximately 10 years old, but the birth dates of neither Kim nor his wife and children have been officially announced. Kim Jong-un is seen with his daughter everywhere – from missile tests to military parades, and, according to South Korean intelligence, she is “most likely” to become his successor. Although the National Intelligence Service emphasizes that they are still considering various options for Pyongyang’s succession plans, the third generation of Kims is already ruling the country.

Kim Ju-ae first appeared with her father in November 2022, during the testing of the new Hwasong-17 intercontinental ballistic missile, and since then has invariably accompanied her father to all important events. The NIS statement said:

“Based on a thorough analysis of her public activities and the level of respect with which she has been treated since the very beginning of her public appearance, Kim Joo-ae is the most likely successor. However, we continue to consider all possibilities because Kim Jong Un is relatively young, has no major health problems, and there are many variables at play.”

Kim Yong-ho, Minister of Unification of the Republic of Korea, noted at a press conference in December:

“The continued focus on Kim Jong Un’s daughter could be seen as evidence that North Korea is rushing to demonstrate its succession intentions amid difficult domestic circumstances.”

External observers, in turn, note that local media previously officially called Zhu Ae “Kim’s favorite daughter” and now call her “respected.” This is the most honorable treatment in North Korea. Kim Jong-un, for example, began to be called “respected comrade” only after his status as the future leader of the country was finally determined.

From birth, the citizens of the country are instilled with the idea that almost divine blood flows in the Kims’ veins and that they are destined from above to rule the country. So there is no doubt that Kim Jong-un will want to continue this tradition, making sure that the fourth generation of Kims will take the helm.

In the meantime, the daughter constantly follows her father, states Air Force. In December, for example, they attended together the tests of the newest intercontinental ballistic solid-propellant missile, the Hwasong-18. And in November, together they watched the launch of the Mulligen-1 spy satellite into orbit, which, according to Pyongyang, photographed the White House in detail.

According to analysts, by presenting his daughter to the general public at such an early age, Kim Jong-un expects that by the time all power passes to her, everyone will already get used to her, and she will establish her position as a leader. It is possible that Kim hopes in a similar way to overcome the deeply rooted prejudices against women in leadership positions in patriarchal North Korean society.

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