Heir in Waiting? Kim Jong Un’s Daughter’s Beijing Debut

Kim Jong Un’s teenage daughter, Kim Ju Ae, joined her father on a rare trip to Beijing this week, marking her debut on the international stage.

Dressed in a dark suit, Ju Ae stood alongside Chinese officials ahead of a military parade commemorating the 80th anniversary of Japan’s surrender in World War II. South Korea’s intelligence service and international analysts believe the 12- or 13-year-old is being positioned as Kim’s potential successor.

Her appearance outside North Korea adds to a series of high-profile domestic outings. Since being introduced publicly in 2022, Ju Ae has been present at missile launches, parades, and even appeared on postage stamps, underscoring her growing symbolic importance.

Experts say she is gaining critical protocol experience, from greeting officials to attending state ceremonies, which could strengthen her role in the regime’s future.

Parenting experts caution, however, that such exposure at a young age may carry psychological risks. With her “playground” now consisting of military parades and global summits, Ju Ae faces unique pressures that could impact her emotional well-being.

If she ascends to power, she would become the first woman to rule North Korea since its founding by her great-grandfather, Kim Il Sung, in 1948.