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Kim Jong-un’s Daughter, Ju-ae, Now Seen as Designated Successor, Says South Korean Spy Agency
Seoul, South Korea – North Korea appears to have officially begun the process of designating Kim Jong-un’s daughter, Ju-ae, as his successor, according to a recent assessment by South Korea’s National Intelligence Service (NIS). This marks a significant upgrade from earlier evaluations that merely identified her as the “most likely successor.”
The NIS shared its updated findings during a closed-door briefing to a parliamentary intelligence committee on Thursday. Lawmakers Park Sun-won and Lee Seong-kweun relayed the agency’s insights to reporters, citing Ju-ae’s increasing public presence and her apparent involvement in state policy discussions as key indicators.
“As Kim Ju-ae has shown her presence at various events, including the founding anniversary of the Korean People’s Army and her visit to the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun, and signs have been detected of her voicing her opinion on certain state policies, the NIS believes she has now entered the stage of being designated as successor,” stated Rep. Lee Seong-kweun.
This latest assessment moves beyond the NIS’s previous view that Ju-ae was merely being “trained” for succession, now placing her firmly in the “successor designation” phase. The intelligence agency is closely monitoring whether she will attend North Korea’s upcoming key party congress later this month, a potential event that could further solidify her position.
Ju-ae, believed to have been born in 2013, was first identified as the “most likely successor” by the NIS in January 2024. Her recent actions, including a notable visit to the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun-the Kim family mausoleum-alongside her parents, have fueled growing speculation about her future role in the reclusive regime. An appearance at the party congress or the awarding of an official title at the event would undoubtedly amplify discussions about her being groomed for leadership.
North Korea’s Stance on U.S. Talks and Support for Russia
In other intelligence matters, the NIS indicated a potential openness from North Korea to engage in dialogue with the United States, provided certain conditions are met. While Pyongyang has expressed dissatisfaction with the U.S. regarding the South Korea-U.S. fact sheet and the deployment of U.S. strategic assets in the region, it has not ruled out talks and has notably refrained from criticizing former President Donald Trump. The agency also suggested that North Korea’s recent avoidance of intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) launches is likely a deliberate move to avoid provoking Trump, who is known to be sensitive to such tests.
Furthermore, the NIS revealed that approximately 10,000 North Korean combat troops and 1,000 engineer troops are currently deployed in Russia’s front-line Kursk region, supporting Moscow’s war efforts in Ukraine. An estimated 6,000 North Korean soldiers have been killed or injured in the conflict. The agency noted that around 1,100 combat and engineer troops who returned to North Korea last December could be redeployed.
“Despite suffering 6,000 casualties, the North Korean military has achieved the results of acquiring modern combat tactics and data in the battlefield, as well as upgrading its weapons systems with technical assistance from Russia,” the NIS reported. The agency also highlighted Pyongyang’s establishment of a new department dedicated to unmanned aerial vehicles, accelerating efforts to develop and mass-produce drones.
Inter-Korean Relations and Ties with China
Regarding inter-Korean relations, the NIS stated that North Korea continues to maintain its rhetoric of defining the two Koreas as “two hostile states.” Recent guidelines have been issued to North Korean officials and overseas missions to avoid engagement with South Korea.
On the economic front, North Korea’s ties with China have “not gained momentum yet,” despite trade between the two nations reaching US$3 billion last year-the highest in six years. The agency clarified that this figure represents only half the trade volume observed before the imposition of sanctions.
Finally, the intelligence committee addressed the issue of repatriating two North Korean soldiers currently held by Ukrainian forces. The NIS confirmed that the South Korean government is actively working to assist their defection to South Korea, as both soldiers have expressed their willingness to defect.