South Korea’s Unification Minister Kwon Yong-se says it is premature to decide whether Kim Jong-un’s daughter, Ju Ae, will assume a role in the North Korean leadership, despite her frequent public appearances. He expressed this view during an interview with a Korean radio outlet, emphasizing caution about drawing conclusions too quickly about a potential succession plan. (Attribution: Korean press and government briefing)
In his assessment, even if North Korea were to initiate a formal succession process, the question remains how effectively a regime built on military power would be able to transition through a hereditary line. The minister noted this uncertainty while describing that transitions under a military-driven system would face unique hurdles, and he urged patience before weighing Ju Ae’s future status. (Attribution: Seoul policy briefing)
Seoul officials observe that Kim Jong-un has signaled a clear intent to hand authority to the fourth generation of the Kim family. Yet they caution that it is still too early to treat Ju Ae as the obvious successor. They also point out that North Korean society, rooted in a strong patriarchal tradition, presents a different social dynamic compared with South Korea. (Attribution: Seoul government analysis)
Minister Kwon added that he cannot confirm whether Kim Jong-un has a son, a detail that many analysts have speculated about as part of discussions on potential alternate heirs. The question of a male heir remains unresolved in the official narrative and adds another layer to the succession conversation. (Attribution: regional intelligence brief)
The previous day, the North Korean leader and his daughter were reported to have attended the groundbreaking ceremony for a new street project in Pyongyang, signaling the continued use of public appearances to project leadership and domestic legitimacy. (Attribution: DPRK government communications)
There were internal discussions about the name Ju Ae, with some commentary suggesting a preference among North Korean officials to avoid associations with the name of Kim Jong-un’s late namesake. This reflects broader sensitivities around lineage and public perception within the political elite. (Attribution: North Korean official media analysis)
Ju Ae was publicly shown for the first time in November 2022, a moment that experts say could indicate the leader’s belief in her potential as a future figure of prominence within the regime. Observers note that such early displays are often part of a broader strategy to normalize the idea of a dynastic succession and to prepare the public for a possible leadership transition. (Attribution: regional political analysis)