The world witnessed a historic moment when North Korean leader Kim Jong-un brought his daughter, Kim Ju-e, to Beijing for the first time. It was Kim's first multilateral meeting, but it was the elegant girl who stepped out of the armored luxury train that caught the attention of experts. The appearance of the girl, who is about 12 or 13 years old, at the military parade in Beijing is said by some to be a sign that she could be the next leader of the North Korean state.
Kim Jong-un arrived in the Chinese capital on Tuesday in an armored luxury train of more than 90 cars, South Korean intelligence said, marking the first time his daughter has left North Korea, possibly as part of a process to groom her to lead the country. The young girl followed her father in a sleek black suit as they were welcomed by Chinese Communist Party leaders in Beijing. The visit was for a military parade to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, which was also attended by Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping.
“Jue stood behind her father when Kim Jong-un was welcomed by Chinese leaders at the Beijing railway station. This indicates that she was given the same protocol as North Korea’s second-in-command,” said Jeong Song-chang, vice president of the Sejong Institute. He added that “Kim Jong-un’s decision to bring Jue to China is a clear signal to the international community that she will be his successor and an opportunity for her to begin her formal diplomatic training.”
Other experts say it is too early to interpret Jue's trip to China as a sure sign that he will succeed his father as North Korea's president. He must first go through the internal approval system of the Communist Party, said Hong Min, a senior researcher at the Korea Institute for National Unification."We must not forget that North Korea has a strict patriarchal and military culture, so just because he appears in public holding his father's arm does not necessarily mean he is next in line," he said. He could be forced into a leadership role
Kim Jong-un first appeared in public in North Korea in 2022, when he and his father participated in a missile test. He has since been seen at various state events, including the commissioning of a warship in June. Intelligence reports suggest his image has even appeared on stamps.
According to South Korean reports, the girl leads an active lifestyle: she likes to ski, ride horses and swim. In Pyongyang, she is being taught by private tutors to prepare her to lead North Korea. Regarding this, education expert Kirsty Ketley commented to Fox News: “She is being forced into a role instead of helping her discover who she really is, and that pressure can have a huge impact on her mental health.” She added that even the most well-prepared candidate will struggle with being forced into a leadership role, especially at such a young age. “She will probably receive ongoing counseling, but that doesn’t take away the emotional burden of having someone else decide her future at such a young age.”
The expert believes that a typical child at Kim Jue's age would be preparing for high school and testing their limits in a less restrictive environment."Kim Jue cannot enjoy the usual luxuries, because now military parades and meetings with world leaders are her playground." This situation could have serious consequences for the young girl's emotional development. Kirsty Ketley therefore warns that"internally, she may easily feel anxious, confused or even lonely. And intense public pressure can hinder a child's emotional development."
Even so, little is known about it
However, the age of Kim Jong-un's daughter remains a mystery, as the North Korean leader keeps his family life a closely guarded secret. Experts believe that Kim Jue could be the second child. Former NBA star Dennis Rodman first revealed information about her existence in 2013, when he called Kim Jong-un a good father in an interview with The Guardian. Kirsty Ketley, however, noted that if she could give advice to the North Korean leader, she would suggest that "balance her daughter's exposure to power with the opportunity for a normal life, including friendships, play and the opportunity to fail."
Kim Jong-un's appearance in Beijing is not only of familial but also geopolitical significance. The issue of succession in North Korea is crucial for the stability of the region. The young girl's appearance on the international stage sends a clear message that the Kim dynasty will continue and that the transfer of power is already under preparation. The visit also indicates that North Korea continues to maintain close ties with China and Russia, and Kim Jong-un's future role could be central to maintaining these alliances.
