Why do you have to put a face on Kim Ju-ae? These are the theories about the possible successor (and daughter) of Kim Jong-un

Kim Ju-ae, North Korean leader’s daughter kim jong un, has become the protagonist of the military parade held this Wednesday night in Pyongyang on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the creation of the army of this country. She has been shown sitting front and center, in her father’s shoes, as he shook hands with high-ranking officials in the country. She has already appeared in four official acts, which is generating all kinds of theories about whether she will be the successor to her father in North Korea.

Different experts have pointed out that the middle daughter of Kim Jong-un is the equivalent of a princess and that her presence together with her father, and president, could indicate that she is the chosen successor. It should be remembered that the leader’s father, Kim Jong-il, also chose him, Kim Jong-un, as his successor over his eldest son.

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What is known about her? She is the middle daughter of the leader of North Korea. Until a few months ago, practically nothing was known about the secrecy surrounding the dictator’s family. In fact, she learned of her existence thanks to former NBA player Dennis Rodman, a close friend of the family, who revealed her existence in an interview. He said that on a visit to North Korea he had held “his daughter Ju-ae”, still a baby, in her arms. It was in 2013, so we assume that she is around 10 years old and her name is Kim Ju-ae.

• Seoul intelligence believes that Kim and his wife had three children around 2010, 2013 and 2017. The first would be a male and the middle Kim Ju-ae.

When did it first appear? It was November 19, 2022 when Kim Jong-un introduced his daughter through state media during a test launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile. Since then, and in just two and a half months, she has appeared in up to four official acts.

• The launch of said projectile, where she was also presented as “her dear daughter”.

• In a photographic session of the leader together with high officials of the regime involved in the launch test.

• At the parade on the eve of the North Korean military anniversary.

• At a ceremony held on the occasion of this event.

The last one was this February 6, in celebration of the 75th anniversary of the Foundation of the Korean People’s Army (KPA). The images show the daughter and father, dressed in a black suit and white shirt, greeting different military officers, walking hand in hand. They also sat together during the banquet, which ended with a family photo with a number of military officers.

Why is it becoming known? The real reasons that have led Kim Jong-un to this sudden media exposure of his daughter are unknown. But there are several theories.

• First: Kim Jong-un would like to show that North Korea’s nuclear race will not end with him, but will continue with his daughter. Leif-Eric Easley, a professor at Ewha University in Seoul, told CNN, “By ostentatiously including his wife and daughter, Kim wants observers at home and abroad to see that his family dynasty and North Korean military are irrevocably linked.”

• Second: to give a better and softer image of the regime, it would do so with the presence of women. Both her sister, who has taken on a public role in recent years, and her daughter.

• Third: Kim Ju-ae is being groomed to be the successor to the authoritarian family of a regime that goes back decades. According to Mario Esteban, an expert on North Korea, “it seems that he wants to give an idea of ​​continuity, but it is premature to talk about succession.” In addition, the media treatment of the state media would fuel this theory. The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) says of the young woman that she is “respected and loved”.

Yet this latest speculation, experts say, is a strange move. Kim Jong-un is in his 40s and has given no sign that he wants to step down. In addition, the daughter would be too young to position herself at the head of the country and she is also the middle child, having an older male brother. Choosing a girl instead of a boy as heir would be an unusual decision in a deeply patriarchal country.