Kim Jong Un’s arrival in China on Tuesday was always bound to draw global attention. But it wasn’t just the North Korean leader stepping off his armoured train that made headlines—it was the young girl standing just behind him.
That girl was Kim Ju Ae, Kim Jong Un’s daughter. Though little is known about her, she is believed to be the second of three children he shares with his wife, Ri Sol-Ju. Her exact age remains uncertain, but her growing public appearances have drawn intense speculation.
According to South Korea’s intelligence agency, Kim Ju Ae is seen as the most likely successor to her father. If true, this would mark a historic shift in the leadership of the secretive state. Yet, not everyone is convinced.
Some analysts argue that North Korea’s traditional power structure would never allow a woman to rule. Professor Hazel Smith, a Korean studies expert at SOAS, cautioned against overinterpreting her presence:
> “It’s not a sign that this young person will definitely be the next leader of North Korea.”
For now, Kim Ju Ae’s appearances remain symbolic—but they are enough to keep the world guessing about the future of North Korea’s leadership.
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