Profile of Kim Ju Ae, the Heir to Kim Jong Un's Throne in North Korea
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has reportedly designated his daughter, Kim Ju Ae, as his successor. So who exactly is Kim Ju Ae, “the heir” to the throne in North Korea?
As reported by AFP on Sunday (2/15/2026), the news about Kim Jong Un’s decision to designate Ju Ae as his successor was conveyed by South Korean lawmaker Lee Seong-kweun following a briefing from the National Intelligence Service (NIS). Lee said the NIS assessed that Ju Ae is now clearly “designated as successor.” The conclusion was drawn from various indicators, including Ju Ae’s increasingly frequent appearances at official state events. According to Lee, the NIS also observed signs that Ju Ae is beginning to be involved in government policy discussions.
The Kim family has ruled North Korea for decades with a powerful “Paektu bloodline” cult. In recent years, Ju Ae has been seen in public accompanying Kim Jong Un at various strategic events, including military and state occasions. North Korean state media last January featured Ju Ae paying respects alongside her father at the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun, the mausoleum of Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il. The moment was seen as reinforcing speculation about her status as successor.
As reported by BBC and the Independent, Kim Ju Ae is believed to currently be 13 years old. Ju Ae is the daughter of Kim Jong Un and his wife, Ri Sol Ju.
News of Ju Ae’s existence first emerged through an unexpected source — American basketball player Dennis Rodman. In 2013, he revealed to The Guardian newspaper that he “held baby Ju Ae” during a trip to the reclusive country.
“I held their baby, Ju Ae, and also spoke with (Kim’s wife),” Rodman said, recounting his visit to North Korea.
Ju Ae’s identity was initially shrouded in mystery. In a closed briefing in 2023, the NIS told South Korean politicians that Kim Ju Ae had never been enrolled in any formal educational institution and was homeschooled in Pyongyang. The report also mentioned her hobbies include horseback riding, swimming, and skiing. One participant in the briefing later told reporters that Kim Jong Un was said to be very pleased with his daughter’s horseback riding skills.
The NIS reported that Kim Ju Ae has an older brother and a younger sibling whose gender the agency has been unable to confirm. Neither sibling has ever been seen in public to date.
Ju Ae first appeared on state television in 2022, shown inspecting North Korea’s latest intercontinental ballistic missile while holding her father’s hand. Since then, her appearances in North Korean state media have steadily increased, transforming her from a quiet child at her father’s side into a familiar face at important national moments.
North Korean state media, which previously did not mention her name, now frequently describes Kim Ju Ae as “the beloved” or “the respected” or “the great guiding figure.” Ju Ae’s appearances are also seen as an effort to soften her father’s image as a ruthless dictator.
Ju Ae once accompanied Kim Jong Un to Beijing for the largest military parade ever held in China, where she was seen stepping off an armored train at Beijing Railway Station. She often appears with long hair — which is prohibited for people her age — and wearing designer clothing that is unaffordable for most people in North Korea.
A state media photo in November 2023 placed her in the foreground with her father in the background — a moment that analysts say would not have occurred without Kim Jong Un’s approval.
In a rare public display of father-daughter affection, Kim Jong Un and Ju Ae kissed each other on the cheek during the 2024 New Year’s Eve celebration at a packed Pyongyang stadium.
In recent months, Kim Ju Ae has also been seen standing taller than her father and walking beside Kim Jong Un rather than behind him. In North Korea, where photos published by state media are believed to carry great symbolic weight, it is rare for any individual other than Kim Jong Un to be prominently positioned in the frame.
This year, Kim Ju Ae also joined her father in receiving foreign officials and was highlighted above Kim Jong Un’s senior aides in state media coverage of important government events.
Women in North Korean governance are not unprecedented. Currently, Kim Jong Un’s sister holds a senior position in the Central Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea and is reported to have strong influence over her brother.