After a three-month hiatus, Kim Jong Un, the General Secretary of North Korea’s Workers’ Party, made a public appearance with his daughter Ju-ae, who seemed to exude a more mature presence in that short span of time. North Korean media outlets referred to her as the respected daughter and highlighted her charisma in their coverage of her public activities.
On November 30, the party’s official newspaper, Rodong Sinmun, released photos showing Ju-ae accompanying Kim to the 80th anniversary event of the Air Force. During this occasion, Kim expressed his commitment to bolstering the Air Force, declaring that it would be assigned new strategic military assets and crucial missions.
Ju-ae, mirroring Kim’s attire, donned a long black leather coat for the event. In the photos, she appeared to be of similar height or even taller than Kim. When walking alongside him, her stature and facial features bore a striking resemblance to those of Ri Sol-ju, Kim’s wife.
Throughout the event, Ju-ae maintained a composed demeanor. As they observed the airshow from airport seats, Kim was seen smiling broadly with a cigarette in hand, while Ju-ae gazed at the sky expressionlessly behind her sunglasses. Despite high-ranking officials applauding in response to Kim’s actions, Ju-ae displayed a markedly different attitude. This behavior suggests that her status allows her to act independently, even in the presence of the Supreme Leader.
Just three years ago, when Ju-ae first appeared in public, North Korean media focused on portraying her as Kim’s young daughter, showcasing her bright smiles and affectionate moments with him. Now, there’s a noticeable shift towards emphasizing her authoritative presence, even surpassing that of some senior officials.
The protocols surrounding Ju-ae have also become increasingly formal. While she previously moved about freely during public events, recent appearances show her strictly adhering to all protocols during Kim’s public engagements. Analysts suggest this indicates she has received proper grooming as a potential successor.
Moreover, images frequently surface showing Ju-ae standing prominently in front of Kim or with her face centered in photos. These visual cues reinforce interpretations that her status within the internal hierarchy has significantly risen.
