Kim Jong Un’s 13‑Year‑Old Daughter May Become North Korea’s Next Leader

Kim Jong Un’s teenage daughter, believed to be named Kim Ju Ae and about 13 years old, is increasingly seen in the spotlight as North Korea looks ahead to a new generation of leadership. The country’s biggest political gathering, the Workers’ Party Congress, is set to take place soon and could signal a formal handover of power. South Korean intelligence officials have noted that the daughter has appeared beside her father at missile launches, military parades and even a trip to Beijing for the first summit between Kim and Chinese President Xi Jinping in six years. These public outings may be part of a broader strategy to build her image as the next in line. The daughter first stepped into public view during a missile test in late 2022, and her presence has grown steadily since then. She joined Kim Jong Un on a visit to Pyongyang’s Kumsusan Palace of the Sun, where the embalmed bodies of his grandfather and great‑grandfather sit. Analysts see this as a clear hint that she is being positioned for succession. Historically, North Korea has been ruled by male members of the Kim family: from founder Kim Il Sung to his son Kim Jong Il and now Kim Jong Un. The move to bring a daughter into the political arena is unprecedented and could reflect Kim’s own experience of being thrust onto the throne at a young age.The Workers’ Party Congress, held last in 2021, could be the platform where Kim Jong Un formally announces his successor. Some experts say a formal appointment might not be announced publicly, but subtle cues—such as party statements praising the “successful inheritance of the revolution”—could signal her elevation. North Korean state media rarely mention the daughter by name, referring instead to her as a “respected” or “most beloved” child. The belief that she is Kim Ju Ae comes from a 2013 account by former NBA star Dennis Rodman, who claimed to have held the newborn during a visit. South Korean intelligence believes she was born that year. If the daughter is officially named as heir, it would mark a significant shift in North Korean politics and could alter the country’s international standing. The upcoming congress will be watched closely by observers worldwide to see whether this new generation of leadership takes shape. The situation remains fluid, and it is unclear whether Kim Jong Un will grant her a formal party role or simply keep her in the background as a symbolic successor. Analysts suggest that even subtle changes in party rhetoric could hint at her future position. The potential succession of Kim Jong Un’s daughter underscores the continued dynastic nature of North Korean rule and raises questions about how power will be transferred in a regime that has historically been male‑dominated. The upcoming political conference will likely be the most telling event in determining whether this young figure will assume a leadership role, and how that decision might influence the country’s trajectory.