Experts suggest that North Korea is emphasizing Ju Ae’s Paektu bloodline to offset the political disadvantage of her being a woman, as she is widely considered a potential successor.
On Thursday, Lee Sang-geun, a senior researcher at the National Security Strategy Institute, presented this analysis in a report titled, Recent Trends in Kim Ju Ae’s Public Activities and Their Political Significance.
While the notion of Ju Ae as a successor remains unconfirmed, Lee stressed the importance of monitoring her increased public appearances and elevated political status as portrayed in North Korean media.
During a New Year’s Day visit to the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun, Kim Jong Un (Kim) positioned Ju Ae more centrally than himself when paying respects to past leaders. This staging is seen as a deliberate move to showcase her as a potential heir.
The researcher particularly noted that North Korea is leveraging the family’s legacy to mitigate potential internal resistance to Ju Ae’s gender.
In societies where women’s status is subordinate, the prestige of a powerful family can bolster a woman’s political legitimacy. North Korea appears to be emphasizing Ju Ae’s lineage as both the great-granddaughter of Kim Il Sung and the daughter of Kim to enhance her acceptance among officials and citizens.
Despite Ju Ae’s youth, her frequent appearances alongside Kim at various domestic and international events may be a strategic move to prepare for any unexpected leadership vacuum.
This approach contrasts sharply with Kim’s own situation in 2008 when his father, Kim Jong Il, suffered a stroke. At that time, the 24-year-old Kim held no official party titles and was largely unknown to most officials and citizens.
Kim likely believes that had his father not recovered, his own succession to power might have been jeopardized. This experience may be driving his decision to introduce Ju Ae to the public sphere at an early age.
The researcher concluded that by consistently showcasing Ju Ae alongside the supreme leader, North Korea seems intent on gradually cementing her image as a potential successor in the minds of both officials and the general public.