Kim Jong Un Appears with Daughter Ju Ae at Mausoleum, Sparking Succession Speculation
On January 1, 2026, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and his wife Ri Sol Ju appeared with their daughter Ju Ae at the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun in Pyongyang to mark the New Year. Ju Ae, believed to be about 12 to 13 years old, was shown standing between her parents in the mausoleum's main hall, as seen in images released by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). North Korea has yet to confirm her exact age. Analysts and South Korea's intelligence agency have noted that this public appearance fuels speculation that Ju Ae could be a potential successor to Kim Jong Un.
Ju Ae's visibility in state media has increased over the past three years, with her first public appearance outside North Korea occurring in 2022 during a trip to Beijing with Kim Jong Un. The latest mausoleum visit underscores the regime's ongoing emphasis on dynastic legitimacy through visits to key historical sites on important dates.
Ju Ae's existence was previously publicized when Dennis Rodman mentioned holding her during a 2013 interview with The Guardian. Experts have cautioned that placing a child in the spotlight regarding leadership succession could have long-term mental health implications for Ju Ae.
