Kim Ju-Ae: All You Need To Know About North Korea's Kim Jong Un's Heir Apparent

Off lately, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s second daughter Kim Ju-Ae is being spotted at various official events. She recently attended a military event on Tuesday, which has sparked the debate about her being the heir apparent. Even the North Korean media is talking about the succession plans of Kim’s family.

Who Is Kim Ju-Ae?

Kim Ju-Ae is the nine-year-old daughter of North Korea’s current leader, Kim Jong Un. She is the leader’s middle child, reportedly among three confirmed kids. The state media had described her to be Kim’s ‘most beloved’ and ‘precious’ child. According to reports, she is home-schooled and known to love horse riding and skiing.

She turned heads around and made headlines when she showed up with her father at the banquet where all the military officials were present. She was twinning with Kim in a black and white outfit.

Ju-Ae also visited the barracks before she came to the banquet. All this was set to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the founding of the Korean People’s Army (KPA). The father and daughter duo were also accompanied by Ri Sol-Ju, Kim’s wife and the First Lady of North Korea.

Rumours Of Kim Ju-Ae Being Heir Apparent Of Kim Jong Un

State’s Korean Central News Agency released photos from the event on Wednesday. Ju-Ae was standing beside her father, in the middle of all the military leaders. The spot is usually reserved for the leader of the army himself.

Despite Kim Ju-Ae being the middle child, she is being spotted at major events. It has raised questions about her being the heir apparent of Kim Jong Un.

In 2013, retired US Basketball player Dennis Rodman went to Pyongyang, the capital of North Korea. After he returned, he shared with The Guardian that he met Kim and held his baby daughter Ju-Ae. It was the first time the world heard about Ju-Ae because the Kim Dynasty does not reveal their children until they announce them as heirs or they are supposed to be a part of any political activity or hold the office.

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Could Kim Ju-Ae Be Kim Jong Un’s Heir?

After the military event at Yanggakdo Hotel in Pyongyang, congratulatory articles were carried out across the front page of Rodong Sinmum newspaper. Ju-Ae’s name or age was not mentioned. However, she was referred to as the ‘respected daughter’ (Being A Brown Daughter: When I Was Asked To Ditch Outfits). It was the first time such an adjective was used for her as opposed to beloved.

According to Channel News Asia, there is no sure way to know whether Ju-Ae would succeed her father, however, her being out in the public with Kim is sure an indicator of her being the heir apparent. In North Korea, every single step of the leader is carefully crafted and has political implications.

The Kim dynasty has ruled North Korea since 1948. In a story published in Channel News Asia, revealing the face of the leader’s kids is a big deal. In most cases, the successors were only revealed to the world after they were named heirs to the dynasty.

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Kim Jong II announced the name of his successor in 2008 but revealed his identity only in 2010. Therefore, experts of international news are claiming that Ju-Ae’s presence in the public with her father could be a sign that she would be declared the heir soon.

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However, no one is 100% counting on this theory because the Kim dynasty has been renowned for its patriarchal family values, which also means that an heir could only be the son. It would be interesting to see Ju-Ae announced as the heir and successor to Kim. The world awaits to see a woman leading North Korea.