The South Korean National Intelligence Service (hereinafter referred to as the NIS) stated on Thursday (September 10) that they are trying to determine whether North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has a son, while reiterating their assessment that Kim Jong Un’s daughter, Kim Ju-ae, is likely the heir to her father.
According to reports by the Associated Press, the statement released by the South Korean NIS on Thursday may be in response to a recent article claiming that “South Korean intelligence agencies have concluded that Kim Jong Un and his wife, Ri Sol Ju, do not have a son.” The NIS mentioned that they are currently trying to verify if Kim Ju-ae has a brother. However, the NIS assessed that even if Kim Ju-ae has a brother, he would not be able to succeed Kim Jong Un under the current circumstances. The NIS also mentioned that Kim Jong Un has another younger child whose gender has not been confirmed yet.
The intelligence agency had previously stated that Kim Ju-ae, who is around 13 years old, is likely the successor who will take over leadership in North Korea.
The statement from the NIS on Thursday did not further elaborate on their assessment of the political stability of Kim Ju-ae. However, the NIS had previously stated that this assessment was based on a comprehensive analysis of Kim Ju-ae’s public activities and the national treatment she has received.
Since the end of 2022, Kim Ju-ae has accompanied her father to many high-profile events, including missile launches and large military parades. North Korean state media described her as the most beloved or respected child of her father and released numerous videos and photos showing their close relationship and her increasing political stature.
Following the release of footage showing Kim Ju-ae shooting with both a rifle and a handgun on a shooting range, North Korean state media KCNA released photos in March of Kim Jong Un driving a new tank with his daughter. South Korean Democratic Party member Park Sun-won stated that North Korean authorities released such footage as a “tribute” to Kim Jong Un’s public military appearances in the early 2010s, when he was being groomed as the successor to his father, Kim Jong Il.
The question of whether Kim Ju-ae has a brother is a crucial topic in discussions of potential succession plans in North Korea, due to the deeply entrenched patriarchal system and male-dominated power structure. Since the founding of the country in 1948, all three leaders of North Korea have been male members of the Kim family.
Some experts also question whether senior North Korean officials would accept female leadership. They also point out that if Kim Ju-ae marries into another family and passes on power to their children, her reign could ultimately mean the end of the Kim family’s rule.