North Korean leader Kim Jong Un visited China on Tuesday (September 2) to attend the military parade commemorating the 80th anniversary of Japan’s surrender in World War II, organized by the Chinese Communist Party, accompanied by his daughter Kim Ju Ae, sparking attention from the public.
Kim Ju Ae was dressed in a black suit, following closely behind her father to be greeted by Chinese officials, although she was not seen during the military parade on Wednesday.
This marks Kim Ju Ae’s first international visit with her father. South Korea’s National Intelligence Service estimated that the girl, seen as a potential successor in the Kim family regime, is only around twelve or thirteen years old. Parenting expert Kirsty Ketley told Fox News that thrusting a child onto the global political stage at such a young age could lead to psychological burdens.
“She is not exploring her self, but being molded into a role. Having one’s destiny decided at a young age may lead to anxiety, confusion, and even feelings of loneliness,” Ketley said.
Since her first appearance at a North Korean missile test site in 2022, Kim Ju Ae has accompanied her father to several significant domestic events. In May this year, she made a public appearance at the Victory Day event at the Russian Embassy in Pyongyang, where she met with Russian Ambassador Alexander Matsegora. The South Korean National Intelligence Service revealed that she enjoys skiing, horseback riding, and swimming, receives homeschooling, and has even featured on North Korean postage stamps.
Kim Jong Un and his daughter arrived in Beijing the day before aboard an armored train, marking his first visit to China in many years.
The Washington Post cited Rachel Minyoung Lee, an expert from the Stimson Center, who stated that although Kim Ju Ae is garnering more exposure, it is premature to definitively claim she will be the successor. Lee explained that five years ago, when Kim Yo Jong, Kim Jong Un’s sister, led anti-South Korean movements, speculations also arose about her being groomed as a potential heir.