The Rise of Ju-ae: More Than a Heir Apparent?
Ju-ae’s public image has been carefully crafted since her first confirmed appearance in November 2022, when she accompanied her father to observe the launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile. Since then, she has appeared at nearly a dozen high-profile events, each time exhibiting poise and a growing familiarity with the mechanics of statecraft.
Inside North Korea, state media has referred to her with honorifics typically reserved for members of the leadership circle—terms like “noble daughter” and “beloved child of the state.” Such language, though carefully controlled and often opaque, marks a significant departure from how previous heirs were introduced. Kim Jong-un himself remained virtually invisible to the public until he was formally unveiled as Kim Jong-il’s successor shortly before his father’s death in 2011.
Ju-ae’s semi-public coming of age suggests a shift in strategy, perhaps reflecting Kim Jong-un’s desire to ensure a smoother future transition of power, or at least to solidify the dynasty’s legitimacy well in advance. Yet whether she is truly being positioned as the next supreme leader or merely as a symbol of continuity remains an open question.