North Korea leader Kim Jong Un’s daughter makes public visit to the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun for the first time, marking a significant moment in the country’s dynastic succession. Kim Ju Ae accompanied her father and mother, Ri Sol Ju, to pay respects to former leaders on January 1. Moreover, state media photographs show her standing between her parents in the main hall, signaling her growing importance.
THE HEIR OF THE NORTH
DT WORLD: Kim Ju Ae, daughter of North Korean leader #KimJongUn, made her first public visit to the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun, the mausoleum of her grandfather and great-grandfather. Positioned at the front with her father, the 12-year-old is being… pic.twitter.com/c8l0Wt8AtN
— Daily Tribune (@tribunephl) January 2, 2026
Who Is Kim Ju Ae?
Kim Ju Ae is believed to have been born in the early 2010s, making her approximately 13 years old. However, North Korea has never officially confirmed her age or birth date. Her existence became publicly known in 2022 when she attended an intercontinental ballistic missile launch with her father.
| Key Information | Details |
|---|---|
| Estimated age | Around 13 years old |
| First public appearance | November 2022 (missile launch) |
| Official titles | “Beloved child,” “Great person of guidance” |
| Recent activities | New Year celebrations, Beijing visit |
| Parents | Kim Jong Un and Ri Sol Ju |
Why This Visit Matters
The Kumsusan Palace houses the bodies of Kim Il Sung (state founder) and Kim Jong Il (Kim Jong Un’s father). Consequently, visits to this sacred site hold deep symbolic meaning in North Korea. The country’s leaders typically visit on important anniversaries to honor their dynastic heritage.
Furthermore, this marks Ju Ae’s first appearance at such a significant location. Experts view this as a calculated move by Kim Jong Un, especially ahead of the upcoming Workers’ Party Congress where succession plans might be formalized.
Growing Public Presence
Over the past three years, Ju Ae has appeared increasingly in state media. Additionally, she has attended several major events:
- Missile launches and military parades
- New Year celebrations in 2025 and 2026
- First overseas trip to Beijing in September 2025
- Various public events with senior officials
State media has used special titles for her, including “hyangdo” (great person of guidance), which traditionally describes top leaders and their designated successors. Therefore, many analysts believe she is being groomed for leadership.
Expert Opinions and Caution
Cheong Seong-chang from the Sejong Institute views this mausoleum visit as preparation for formalizing her succession. Meanwhile, Hong Min from the Korea Institute for National Unification suggests North Korea is portraying a “stable family” image by showing the wife and daughter at major events.
Nevertheless, some experts urge caution. Hong points out that Ju Ae is too young to officially join the Workers’ Party or hold formal positions. In addition, Kim Jong Un may have other children whose roles remain unknown, making it premature to confirm Ju Ae as the definite successor.
South Korea’s Response
A South Korean Unification Ministry official stated it is too early to confirm her as successor, given her age and lack of official position. However, South Korea’s intelligence agency continues monitoring her activities closely.
North Korea leader Kim Jong Un’s daughter makes public visit continues to fuel speculation about the future of the Kim dynasty. Subsequently, the world watches closely as this young figure takes increasingly prominent roles in one of the world’s most secretive nations.
