Kim Jong-un’s daughter visits state mausoleum, fuelling speculation she will be next North Korean ruler | North Korea
The daughter of North Korean ruler Kim Jong-un, who is set to become his likely successor, accompanied her parents on her first public visit to the Kumsusan mausoleum to pay respects to the former leaders ahead of an event at which her succession could be formalized.
Photos from state news agency KCNA show Ju-ae among her parents in the main hall of the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun, along with Kim Jong-un’s wife, Ri Sol-ju, and senior officials during the visit on January 1.
The North Korean leader visits Kumsusan on important dates and anniversaries to honor his grandfather, the state’s founder, Kim Il-sung, and his father, Kim Jong-il.
Kim Ju-ae’s increasing prominence in state media over the past three years has fueled speculation by analysts and South Korea’s intelligence agency that he may be the country’s fourth-generation dictator.
Cheong Seong-chang, vice president of the Sejong Institute think tank, saw Ju-ae’s first public visit to the Kumsusan palace as a calculated move by his father ahead of the upcoming ruling party congress at which his succession could be formalized.
Hong Min, a North Korea expert at the state-run Korea National Unification Institute, said North Korea projects the image of Kim’s “stable family” by showing his wife and daughter alongside him at major events.
But Hong said the potential roles of Kim’s other children leaves room for caution in inferring Ju-ae’s successor.
“It is almost impossible to appoint Kim Ju-ae, who is believed to have just turned 13, as his successor when he is not even old enough to join the organization. [Workers’] party,” Hong said.
Kim Ju-ae, who is believed to have been born in the early 2010s, attended this year’s New Year celebrations, according to state media. In September, he went to Beijing with his father for his first public trip abroad.
North Korea has never confirmed his age.
via Reuters
