South Korea’s intelligence service briefed lawmakers that Kim Ju Ae has been designated as the heir to Kim Jong Un. The assessment cites her rapid rise in public roles and protocol status. It comes days before North Korea’s ruling party convenes its quinquennial congress.
Spy agency elevates its assessment
The National Intelligence Service told a closed-door session that Ju Ae has moved from “training” to “successor designation.” Lawmakers said the agency weighed several factors. These include her visibility at state ceremonies and signs that she offers views on some policy matters.
What her public role signals
Since her first TV appearance in 2022 at a missile event, Ju Ae has appeared beside her father at military tests and commemorations. On 27 January 2026, state images showed her at a test of an upgraded large-calibre multiple-rocket launcher. Analysts read equal framing in photos as a deliberate signal in North Korean political language.
Beijing debut and recent appearances
Ju Ae made her international debut during a September 2025 visit to Beijing, stepping from the armored train with her father for a major parade. In early January, she visited the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun with her parents. Both moments strengthened perceptions of a grooming process.
Gender and succession questions
North Korea remains a strongly patriarchal system. The NIS view challenges the long-held assumption that an older, unacknowledged son would be first in line. Still, the regime offers a precedent for female clout through Kim Yo Jong, who holds a senior party role and often issues statements on strategy.
What to watch at the party congress
The ruling party’s congress, expected later this month, sets five-year priorities on foreign policy, defense, and the economy. Observers will watch for Ju Ae’s attendance, title changes, and any codified succession cues. Kim has signaled new steps on the nuclear deterrent, and a parade is possible.
South Korea’s brief underscores a fourth Kim-family transition taking shape. Whether Pyongyang formalizes a title soon or relies on symbolism, Ju Ae’s placement at key events suggests a carefully managed path to the future leadership
