North Korean leader Kim Jong Un attended an event marking the party’s 79th anniversary alongside his daughter, Ju Ae. This marked Ju Ae’s first public appearance since her media debut in August, following a relative absence from the spotlight.
According to the state-run newspaper Rodong Sinmun, Kim Jong Un attended a celebratory performance on Friday at the Party Central Cadre School and later joined a banquet. The newspaper referred to Ju Ae as Kim’s “beloved child,” signaling her growing public role.
The outdoor performance, held around sunset, featured a women’s chorus and men’s choir singing “Long Live the Workers’ Party of Korea,” followed by songs celebrating the party and patriotic anthems. Kim reportedly expressed satisfaction with the event, offering a “warm response” to both the performers and the audience.
Rodong Sinmun described the scene as follows: “All participants paid their highest respects to Kim Jong Un, the banner of all victories and glories, which brilliantly illuminates the enduring dignity and glory of the world’s longest-ruling socialist party with outstanding revolutionary thought and seasoned leadership.” This rhetoric underscores the event’s aim to elevate the achievements of the Kim family.
In recent months, Ju Ae has largely stepped back from public activities, and state media has refrained from mentioning her, leading to speculation about her role. Her reappearance at the party’s anniversary—potentially as a symbol of the “future generation” or even as a possible successor—appears to be a calculated move by North Korea to emphasize the continuity of the Kim family’s leadership.
