North Korea: Kim Jong-un's daughter makes international debut fuelling succession speculation

"The appearance of Kim Jong-un's daughter in China ahead of Xi Jinping's victory day parade in Beijing has added to speculation that she is being groomed to become the first female ruler of North Korea. Photos released by North Korean state media showed Kim Ju-ae, who is believed to be in her early teens, stepping off her father's heavily armoured train in the Chinese capital, where she was greeted by Chinese officials at the start of her debut on the international stage."

"But Ju-ae, whose name and age the regime has never publicly confirmed, is no stranger to the spotlight, having accompanied Kim on numerous official duties around North Korea, including the test launches of ballistic missiles and, more recently, the opening of Wonsan Kalma, a resort on the country's east coast."

"North Korea's tightly controlled state media had not carried reports about any of Kim's children until Ju-ae was first seen accompanying him at the launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile in 2022. Several months later, Ju-ae attended a parade marking a founding anniversary of the Korean People's Army, and state media began referring to her as Kim's respected daughter."

Kim Ju-ae, believed to be in her early teens, appeared in China ahead of Xi Jinping’s victory day parade, stepping off Kim Jong-un’s armoured train and being greeted by Chinese officials. Ju-ae has accompanied Kim on official duties including ballistic missile test launches and the opening of the Wonsan Kalma resort. If chosen as successor, she would be the fourth Kim family member to lead North Korea. Ju-ae was first publicly identified in 2013 by Dennis Rodman. She has not spoken in public but has become a visible figure alongside Kim Yo-jong. State media began portraying her as a respected daughter after 2022 appearances. South Korean intelligence reports that Kim and Ri Sol-ju have three children: a 2010 son, a 2013 daughter thought to be Ju-ae, and a 2017 child whose gender is unconfirmed.

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