Seoul – The North Korean leader Kim Jong Unu visited the Russian Embassy in Pyongyang on May 9 to mark the 80th anniversary of the Soviet victory during the Second World War – accompanied by his daughter, Kim Ju Ae, during his very first appearance during an official diplomatic event.
The Central Central Central Agency of North Korea (KCNA) reported the visit to the embassy and, for the first time, described Kim Ju Ae as “the most loved girl” of Kim Jong Un. Until now, state media have generally described it using honorary as “respected child”, “beloved child”.
He was born in 2013, Kim Ju Ae made his first public appearance in November 2022, when she accompanied her father during an inspection of what analysts identified as an intercontinental ballistic missile. Since then, it has appeared during several major events, including missile launches, military banquets and troop visits. His latest appearance – bearing a navy costume walking next to Kim at the Russian Embassy – marks a new phase in his growing public visibility and her diplomatic exhibition.
The video broadcast by Korean central television showed that Kim Ju Ae was seated in the front row next to the Russian ambassador Alexander Matsegora during Kim's speech. Matsegora was also seen slightly kissing her cheek during the farewell.
A photo showing Kim Jong's bodyguard a holding an umbrella for Kim Ju Ae also drew attention.
“This visit to the Russian Embassy actually marks the beginnings of Kim Ju Ae on the international scene,” Cho Han-Bum, principal researcher at the Institute of Korea of National Unification on Monday, a reflection group affiliated to the South Korean government, in RFA. “This formalizes the fact that it takes inheritance training, both at national and international level.”
Cho noted that even if the presence of Kim Ju Ae is increasingly important, there has been no official designation of it as a successor in the North Korea system. He stressed that Kim Jong one himself received his first official title – Vice -president of the Central Military Commission – in the middle of the twenty, while Kim Ju Ae is still too young and should have at least 20 to receive such a role. She would be about 12 or 13 years old.
Some observers have hypothesized that bringing him Kim Ju ae to a diplomatic event to the Russian Embassy could point out the desire to obtain the support of Moscow to a future succession. But Cho said it is more likely that Pyongyang wishes to present his growing role to his allies rather than requesting approval.
“It has now been publicly presented to the international diplomatic community,” said Cho. “Although it reinforces the impression that it is treated as a successor, I do not think that North Korea is in a position where it needs external support to solidify this path.”
A similar point of view was offered by Ahn Chan-il, a North Korean defector and head of the World Institute for North Korea studies, who also spoke with RFA on Monday.
“There are doubts because of the culture dominated by the men of North Korea,” said Ahn. “But ultimately, North Korea is a company that moves according to Kim Jong's will. Even if it has no public consensus, it can enforce its decision.”
Ahn added that the presence of Kim Ju Ae at the embassy could foreshadow that she joined future trips abroad, as a potential visit to Russia later this year.
“If Kim Jong decides that she will join him, she will do it,” said Ahn. “This visit suggests that leadership accelerates the process of establishing a succession structure.”
Although Kim Jong one did not attend the official celebrations of the Russian victory day – where Putin welcomed Allied leaders, including Xi Jinping in China – it was his first visit to the Russian Embassy since he took power in 2012. The two nations exercised Russia's closer ties in his war against Ukraine and war material.
Cho of Korea Institute for National Unification said that a summit between Kim and Russian President Vladimir Putin seems more and more likely, with a visit to Vladivostok in September considered to be the most likely scenario.
The National Intelligence Service (NIS) of South Korea (NIS) had previously warned of prematurely Kim Ju Ae as an official heir, citing the patriarchal standards of North Korea. However, the agency has gradually moved its position.
In a closed parliamentary briefing on July 29, 2024, the NIS reported that Kim Ju Ae was treated as a potential successor. In October, he noted signs of his high status, in particular to be escorted by senior officials like Kim Yo Jong, sister of Kim Jong Un and Minister of Foreign Affairs Choe his Hu. And in a recent report of April 30, the agency said that its frequent public appearances alongside Kim Jong, a clear decision towards the establishment of a hereditary power structure.
Edited by Sungwon Yang