The teenage daughter of North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un made another prominent public appearance this week, attending a major military parade in Pyongyang alongside her father and top military officials.
State-controlled media released images Thursday showing Ju Ae, believed to be in her early teens, standing beside Kim Jong Un as they watched the Wednesday evening parade that concluded the ruling Workers’ Party Ninth Congress. Both father and daughter wore matching black leather coats as they observed the proceedings.
The photos, distributed by North Korea’s official KCNA news agency, depicted the young woman applauding the parade and watching military aircraft fly overhead with Kim and senior defense leaders.
While state media didn’t specify Ju Ae’s official role at the event, her prominent placement at one of North Korea’s most significant political gatherings has intensified discussions about potential leadership succession in the dynasty-based system.
South Korea’s National Intelligence Service recently informed legislators that there are indicators Ju Ae is contributing to policy discussions, suggesting she “was in the stage of being internally appointed successor.”
The teenager has become increasingly visible in North Korean state media over the last three years, beginning with her first public appearance in late 2022 when she joined her father at an intercontinental ballistic missile launch. At that time, official media referred to her as Kim’s “beloved” daughter.
Since then, she has been photographed at various high-profile events including weapons tests, military commemorations, and important state celebrations. She’s typically shown with long hair and wearing luxury leather jackets or fur-lined outerwear as the regime’s propaganda machine has gradually increased her public profile.
North Korean authorities have never officially disclosed Ju Ae’s exact age, though experts believe she was born in the early 2010s. Intelligence sources in South Korea identify her as the child of Kim Jong Un and his spouse Ri Sol Ju.
Her existence first became known internationally in 2013 when former NBA player Dennis Rodman mentioned meeting Kim’s “baby” daughter named Ju Ae during a visit to Pyongyang.
The young woman expanded her international presence last September when she accompanied Kim Jong Un on a trip to China, further fueling questions about her future role in the regime.
Little information is available about Kim Jong Un’s other children, if any exist.
