North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un Intends His Daughter Kim Ju Ae, To Succeed Him.

Pyongyang; February 2026: Workers’ Party of Korea (WPK) General Secretary Kim Jong Un likely intends for his daughter, Kim Ju Ae, to succeed him, according to the South Korean National Intelligence Service (NIS). The NIS assessed that the WPK may give Kim Ju Ae, who is roughly 13 years old, an official title at the upcoming 09th Party Congress. The WPK first secretary position, which is the de facto number two post, has been empty since Kim established it at the 08th Party Congress. South Korean lawmaker Lee Seong-known separately said on February 12th that the NIS seen indicators that Kim Ju Ae is “expressing opinions on policy matters”, reflecting her growing involvement in state affairs.

Kim Ju Ae has become an increasingly public figure since first appearing in November 2022. Kim Ju Ae publicly appeared 10 times in 2023, 12 times in 2024, and 15 times in 2025, according to the Asan Institute for Policy Studies. Japanese media separately suggested in November 2025 that Kim Ju Ae had appeared publicly over 600 times since November 2022 based on facial recognition analysis.

The scope of her public activities expanded from participation in military and economic events to political and foreign relations events in 2025. North Korean state media often displays her alongside her father, Kim Jong Un, including when she stood between him and her mother, Ri Sol Ju, at the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun on January 01st, 2026. The palace holds special political significance in North Korea because it houses the bodies of former leaders Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il. Kim Jong Un may be formalising the succession early to avoid political instability in the years ahead.

Team Maverick.