Is a Teenager Next in Line? Decoding North Korea Kim Ju-ae Succession Signals

Is a teenage girl being prepared to lead the world's most reclusive nuclear power? Recent evidence suggests North Korea is laying the ideological groundwork to formalize Kim Ju-ae, daughter of leader Kim Jong-un, as the official heir. According to Yonhap News Agency, a key party magazine published in March 2025 stressed the absolute necessity of designating a successor, hinting at the ruling family's fourth hereditary transfer of power.

North Korea Kim Ju-ae Succession Hints in Party Journal

The magazine "Geunroja" (The Workers), an essential tool for indoctrinating officials, raised the issue of establishing a successor's leadership while the current head of state is still alive. It emphasized that the choice must align with the "collective will of the party." Notably, this publication appeared just one month before Ju-ae resumed public appearances after a three-month hiatus, suggesting the article was a calculated move to prepare the political elite.

From 'Beloved Daughter' to Heir Apparent

On New Year's Day 2026, Ju-ae paid tribute at the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun, the family mausoleum, for the first time. Her presence at such a sacred site alongside her father reinforces the belief that she's being groomed for the top spot. While state media hasn't used the word 'successor' yet, the shift from her being a mere companion to appearing at military inspections and construction sites signals a significant elevation in her status.