South Korea Claims Kim Jong Un's Daughter Likely to Succeed Him

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Jan 05, 2024

Image copyright: Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images News via Getty Imagesstory last updated Jan 05

The Facts

The nominee to lead South Korea's spy agency, Cho Tae-yong, said on Thursday in a parliamentary report for his confirmation hearing that Kim Ju Ae is seen as the most likely successor to her father, Kim Jong Un. This is attributed to her public activities and how state media has called her.
This comes as the Korea Herald reported on Wednesday that the National Intelligence Service had departed in its latest assessment from an understanding that Kim's daughter was unlikely the next in line to power. Last month, the Unification Ministry had already recognized that Ju Ae could be the heir apparent.

The Spin

Narrative A

There are plenty of indications that Kim Jong Un is indeed preparing his daughter as the heir apparent in a long-term effort to prevent a turbulent succession in North Korea. The recent electoral reform, her public appearances at a very young age, and honorific references to her show that he is seeking to prepare the heavily patriarchal and conservative nation to legitimize her succession.

CNA

Narrative B

Despite Kim Ju-ae being constantly in the public eye nowadays, this doesn't mean that she will necessarily succeed Kim Jong Un. Given the male-centered power structure in the country, North Korean high-ranking officials would feel uncomfortable about a female leader. It's likely that she's just playing a pacemaker role for a so-far unknown male successor while softening the atmosphere around her father.