North Korea's Kim Ju-ae Sparks Speculation as Potential Successor
On 1 January 2026, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, his wife Ri Sol-ju, and their daughter Kim Ju-ae visited the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun to pay respects to former leaders Kim Il-sung and Kim Jong-il. During the visit, Ju-ae was photographed between her parents in the main hall, with official images released by KCNA and Reuters.
This rare public appearance has intensified speculation that Ju-ae is being groomed as Kim Jong-un's successor, signaling a possible move towards a fourth-generation leadership in North Korea. Analysts such as Cheong Seong-chang from the Sejong Institute interpret the visit as a strategic act ahead of an upcoming ruling party congress where succession plans might be formalized.
However, caution remains among some experts including Hong Min from the Korea Institute for National Unification, who noted that despite the regime projecting a stable family image, it is unlikely that Ju-ae will be publicly named as successor at this time due to her youth and current lack of party membership. Ju-ae is believed to have been born in the early 2010s, with no official confirmation of her age from North Korean authorities; estimates place her around 13 years old.
Additional significant moments in Ju-ae's public profile this year include her attendance at New Year celebrations and her first public overseas trip in September, when she accompanied Kim Jong-un to Beijing.
