As Kim Jong Un stepped off his green train in Beijing, eyes turned to a young girl closely following him. Dressed in black and smiling softly, this girl is believed to be Kim Ju Ae, his daughter. Over the years, she has made a few public appearances, primarily at military events, stirring curiosity about her role in North Korean politics.
This recent trip marks her first public outing abroad. It’s significant, especially during a time when her father is mingling with leaders like Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin at a grand military parade. Observers speculate this could be a step in grooming her for future leadership.
For now, she was absent during her dad’s welcoming ceremony at Tiananmen Square, leaving many to ponder her potential future in the political landscape. Much about her remains unclear; her existence was first confirmed in 2022 after a long period of speculation. Celebrity basketball player Dennis Rodman had previously mentioned holding her as a baby during his visit to North Korea in 2013, but details about her exact age are still debated.
Experts highlight that her appearances often signal a message about the Kim family’s grip on military power. For instance, after her involvement in military drills, Leif-Eric Easley, a professor at Ewha University, noted that Kim wants to showcase his family as central to North Korean leadership. The country has a long history as a hereditary dictatorship, transitioning from Kim Il Sung to his son Kim Jong Il, and later to Kim Jong Un.
Some commentators suggest that her public visits are strategic. They may serve to shape Kim’s image as a family-oriented leader while subtly preparing her for a potential future role in governance. However, there’s skepticism among analysts, with a belief that Kim’s other children might be more likely successors.
Jenny Town, a senior fellow at the Stimson Center, remarked that her visibility could be an image-building exercise for Kim, especially since less is known about her siblings. Kim Ju Ae’s emergence in public life could mean she doesn’t have the same privacy Kim himself had while studying abroad in Switzerland during the 1990s. As she grows, navigating her path in a highly monitored political environment will likely be complex and fraught with expectations.
To learn more about the intrigues of North Korean politics and the Kim family’s dynamics, you can read insightful analyses from experts at Stimson Center and other reliable sources.
