Kim Jong-un’s daughter recently emerged in public during an official visit to China, sparking speculation about her potential succession as North Korea’s future leader. Kim Ju-ae was seen in Beijing accompanying her father on his private armored train to join China’s Xi Jinping, Russia’s Vladimir Putin, and other global leaders for a significant parade commemorating 80 years since Japan’s surrender at the end of World War II. The young daughter of the North Korean leader, believed to be in her early teens, is rarely seen in public due to strict control by the Pyongyang regime over the Kim family appearances.
While details about her personal life remain scarce, South Korea’s intelligence agency suggests that she is likely being groomed to succeed her father. Referred to as the “respected” daughter, a title usually reserved for esteemed figures in North Korea, Kim Ju-ae has made recent appearances during missile tests and the opening of a new resort in North Korea. This new designation positions her as a potential future ‘supreme leader,’ a historic first for the isolated nation.
Meanwhile, Kim Jong-un was pictured alongside Russian President Vladimir Putin at the military parade in Beijing, as both leaders were hosted as distinguished guests. The relationship between North Korea and Russia has strengthened, particularly since the conflict in Ukraine, where North Korean troops reportedly supported Putin’s forces with casualties exceeding 2,000. During a speech at the event, Kim expressed North Korea’s commitment to aiding Russia in the war as a “fraternal duty.”
The grand military spectacle, featuring a massive display of Chinese armed forces and weaponry in Beijing, concluded with a speech by Xi Jinping affirming China’s readiness for any potential conflicts. Xi emphasized China’s resilience and peaceful development, highlighting the nation’s willingness to collaborate with other countries for a shared future. Notably, 26 world leaders attended the parade, excluding US President Donald Trump, who criticized Putin and Kim Jong-un on social media for allegedly plotting against the United States.