North Korean leader Kim Jong Un recently attended an official event with his daughter Ju Ae for the first time in over 80 days. Ju Ae’s demeanor appeared more respectful than in previous appearances.
On Tuesday, Korean Central Television (KCTV) reported that Kim Jong Un attended a ceremony to hand over a new tactical ballistic missile weapon system. While the broadcast did not specifically mention his daughter as an attendee, she appeared at the venue dressed in a formal suit, exuding a mature presence.
The footage showed Kim Ju Ae following her father to the podium. Kim Yo Jong, the Deputy Director of the Workers’ Party, approached Ju Ae to guide her to her seat. Kim Yo Jong slightly bowed and extended her arm to escort Ju Ae, who stood upright and observed. This interaction suggests that Ju Ae is being given a high level of protocol.
It’s unusual to see Kim Yo Jong extend such courtesy to anyone other than Kim Jong Un. Her role in protocol usually involves significant events, like the North Korea-Russia summit in June, where she was seen providing Kim Jong Un with a pen or handling important documents.
Ju Ae’s presence was also notable as she entered and exited the ceremony alongside Kim Jong Un. This caught attention during their vehicle disembarkation, as the camera focused on both of them. Unlike previous events where the camera primarily concentrated on Kim Jong Un alone, this time, it highlighted both father and daughter together, following them as they exited the car.
Despite the formal protocol, Ju Ae’s presence was noticeably less emphasized compared to before. North Korean media, including KCTV and Rodong Sinmun, did not mention Ju Ae as an event attendee. In the past, North Korean media have referred to her as the respected daughter and publicly acknowledged her attendance.
This time, Ju Ae sat in the second row between Kim Yo Jong and Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui. She sat in the front row next to Kim Jong Un in previous events, such as military parades. No photos highlighting Ju Ae were released either.
This situation might indicate that while Ju Ae’s status remains unchanged, North Korea is trying to minimize her visibility.
Ju Ae had been expanding her public activities until early this year. Still, her appearances sharply declined after she was referred to as a guide at the completion ceremony of the Kangdong Greenhouse Farm on March 15. Observers speculate that this reduction in exposure aims to avoid excessive public scrutiny.
South Korea’s National Intelligence Service stated last week that “North Korea is hinting at Kim Ju Ae as a potential successor and is conducting training for her as such,” adding that they are adjusting the level of propaganda and public exposure while balancing it with private activities in response to public sentiment.
