Kim Jong-un’s daughter appears at national mausoleum, intensifying succession rumours

S“The Daily Baku” reports that state news agency KCNA released images showing Kim Jong-un attending the mausoleum on January 1 alongside his wife, Ri Sol-ju, senior officials, and Ju-ae, who stood between her parents in the palace’s main hall. The site serves as the resting place of Kim Il-sung, the state’s founder, and Kim Jong-il, the current leader’s father, whom Kim Jong-un traditionally honours on significant anniversaries.

Over the past three years, Kim Ju-ae has appeared with increasing frequency in state media, prompting analysts and South Korea’s intelligence services to suggest she may be positioned as North Korea’s fourth-generation leader.

Cheong Seong-chang, vice-president of the Sejong Institute think tank, described Ju-ae’s appearance at the mausoleum as a deliberate signal by Kim Jong-un, particularly with an upcoming ruling party congress where succession issues could be addressed.

Hong Min, a North Korea specialist at the Korea Institute for National Unification, said the regime has been presenting an image of a “stable ruling family” by featuring Kim’s wife and daughter at major national events. However, he cautioned against drawing firm conclusions, noting that Kim Jong-un has other children whose future roles remain unclear.

“It would be extremely difficult to publicly name Kim Ju-ae as a successor when she is believed to be only around 13 and not yet eligible for party membership,” Hong said.

Kim Ju-ae, thought to have been born in the early 2010s, also appeared at this year’s New Year celebrations and, in September, accompanied her father on her first known overseas trip to Beijing. North Korea has never officially disclosed her age.