Kim Jong Un Appoints His Young Daughter as Director-General of North Korea's Missile Administration

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has reportedly appointed his young daughter to lead the “Missile Administration,” the body overseeing the country’s nuclear arsenal. The South Korean media outlet, Chosun Daily, reports that Kim Ju Ae, believed to be 13 or 14 years old, has been assessed by South Korean intelligence as acting as the “director-general of missiles.” Citing a high-level government source familiar with the matter, Chosun states that South Korean intelligence has obtained reports that Kim Jong Un’s daughter has been appointed to the position. While Jang Chang-ha is officially listed as the director of the missile administration, intelligence suggests that Kim’s daughter receives briefings from generals and issues directives. North Korean state media first confirmed her existence in November 2022, referring to her as the “beloved child” when she accompanied Kim during the launch of the Hwasong-17 intercontinental ballistic missile. Her name has not been officially revealed by Pyongyang. Ju Ae has been mentioned as a potential successor to Kim. The North Korean leader has repeatedly brought his daughter to important events, such as monitoring intercontinental ballistic missile launches, weapons inspections, and party congresses. In one of the photos released by North Korean state media, Ju Ae also visited the mausoleum, or Kumsusan Palace of the Sun, with her parents and several North Korean officials. This visit further reinforces the speculation that she is being groomed as a potential successor to the regime in the country.