Kim Ju Ae, the daughter of Kim Jong Un, is emerging as a future leader of North Korea.

The recent report from the South Korean intelligence service (NIS) has highlighted a significant development in North Korean politics: Kim Jong Un is reportedly preparing his teenage daughter, Kim Ju Ae, to take over the leadership of the country in the near future. This revelation not only suggests a potential generational change at the top of the North Korean power structure but also raises questions about the future of the Kim dynasty, which has ruled North Korea since 1948. Since 2022, Kim Ju Ae has been seen alongside her father on numerous occasions, leading to speculation about her role as a possible successor. Lawmaker Lee Seong-kweun, who presented the NIS report to her colleagues, stated that the North Korean regime is openly educating the young girl as a political heir. This approach, according to the report, indicates that Kim Ju Ae is the most likely candidate to succeed her father, marking a milestone in the history of North Korean leadership. The NIS also highlighted Kim Jong Un's declining health, as he weighs approximately 140 kg and faces a high risk of heart disease. This health condition, combined with his unhealthy lifestyle habits, such as smoking and poor diet, has raised concerns about his longevity in power. In this context, preparing Kim Ju Ae as a leader seems to be a strategy by the regime to ensure a smooth transition of power. As the North Korean regime works to gauge public receptivity toward a potential ascension of Kim Ju Ae, it is notable that state media are already referring to her with the honorary title of "hyangdo," which is reserved for important leaders and successors. This move suggests that the regime is seeking legitimacy and acceptance for what could be a new era under the young leader's governance. However, the NIS also warned of the possibility that other heirs may emerge. This is because, while Kim Ju Ae appears to be the favorite, North Korea's political environment is unpredictable and could change rapidly. Although the figure of Kim Yo Jong, the sister of Kim Jong Un, is also considered influential, the regime faces challenges in consolidating succession in a country where the Kim dynasty has maintained a tight grip on power. Kim Jong Un's family background adds an additional layer of complexity to this situation. Before 2022, the existence of his daughter was only confirmed by former basketball player Dennis Rodman, who met her during a visit to North Korea. This fact underscores the secrecy surrounding the private life of the North Korean leader and his family, complicating efforts to obtain accurate information about his lineage. Furthermore, in 2023, the South Korean Minister of Unification stated that the government could not confirm the existence of a male child of Kim Jong Un, suggesting that the only known heiress so far is Kim Ju Ae. This lack of information about other potential heirs highlights the mystery surrounding the Kim family and the power dynamics within the regime. Against the backdrop of a dynasty that has remained in power for over seven decades, the possible rise of Kim Ju Ae also raises questions about the future of the regime's policies and its stance toward the international community. Kim Jong Un's legacy, his approach to Russia, and his willingness to improve relations with other countries like Japan are factors that could influence the political direction the country will take under his daughter's rule. In this context, it is essential to observe how events unfold in North Korea. The preparation of Kim Ju Ae as a possible successor not only has implications for the Kim dynasty but could also reconfigure the balance of power in the region and affect international relations at a time when geopolitical tensions are palpable. With the future of the regime and peace on the Korean Peninsula at stake, the world will be watching the moves of this young girl who could become the next leader of a country with nuclear weapons and a turbulent past.