North Korean leader Kim Jong Un inspected weapons tests aboard the newly built 5,000-ton destroyer Kang Kon this week, returning to the vessel just over a month after his previous visit. Unlike that earlier inspection, however, his daughter Ju Ae was absent.
Ju Ae, who has maintained her busiest schedule of public appearances since first emerging on the national stage three years ago, has now been absent from official events for nearly a month. Analysts say the pause has fueled speculation that Pyongyang may be deliberately moderating her public exposure to avoid drawing excessive attention to a possible succession plan.
Ju Ae disappears from public view as Kim adopts a younger image
Kim observed the destroyer’s comprehensive weapons systems test on July 3, marking his first visit to the vessel since June 4.
Ju Ae accompanied him during the earlier inspection but did not appear this time. She had been highly visible throughout the year, attending military, economic, and public welfare events across a broad range of sectors. Since June 4, however, she has not appeared publicly.
From Jan. 1, when she accompanied Kim to the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun, through June 4, Ju Ae made 16 public appearances—roughly three per month.
Her public schedule has steadily expanded in recent years, with 10 appearances in 2023, 12 in 2024, and 15 last year. She had already surpassed those annual totals during the first half of this year before her recent absence.
During the same period, Kim himself has appeared noticeably more youthful.
At the expanded plenary meeting of the Workers’ Party Central Committee held June 20-22, Kim appeared with newly dyed black hair, covering previously graying strands.
Some analysts believe the image makeover is intended to portray Kim as an energetic leader while simultaneously reducing attention on succession issues and dispelling speculation about his health.
Others say it is also possible that concerns were raised within the Workers’ Party leadership over Ju Ae’s increasingly frequent appearances. Officials may have argued that succession should be handled more cautiously, or there may have been signs that elites were already attempting to cultivate ties with the presumed heir.
Park Won Gon, a professor of North Korean studies at Ewha Womans University, said Pyongyang carefully decides whether Ju Ae accompanies Kim based on political necessity and propaganda value.
“The fact that she has not appeared for a month differs somewhat from previous patterns and could indicate the beginning of a change,” Park said.
He cautioned, however, that it is too early to conclude North Korea is intentionally downplaying her role as a successor.
“If the absence continues for six weeks or two months, there would be stronger grounds for attaching significance to it,” he said.
Selective appearances may reflect propaganda priorities rather than succession
Another interpretation is that Ju Ae’s appearances are determined less by succession planning than by the political importance of specific events.
She has typically accompanied Kim at occasions showcasing major achievements, such as the unveiling of new weapons systems or the completion of large-scale construction projects that highlight his accomplishments to the North Korean public.
By contrast, this week’s event focused on testing the destroyer’s weapons after the vessel had already been launched and completed sea trials. Analysts say Pyongyang may have viewed the inspection as carrying less domestic political or diplomatic significance, making Ju Ae’s attendance unnecessary.
North Korea previously completed weapons testing and commissioned another 5,000-ton destroyer, the Choe Hyon.
Lim Eul Chul, a professor at Kyungnam University’s Institute for Far Eastern Studies, said Ju Ae has generally appeared at events designed to maximize the propaganda impact of military and economic achievements.
“This time, the leadership likely concluded there was no need for her participation,” he said.
Still, observers note repeated signs that Pyongyang remains sensitive about openly emphasizing succession.
Ju Ae did not appear at any events during Chinese President Xi Jinping’s June 8-9 visit to Pyongyang, despite the summit being portrayed as a major diplomatic breakthrough that fully restored China-North Korea relations.
Analysts suggested both Beijing and Pyongyang may have sought to avoid creating the impression that Xi was publicly endorsing North Korea’s succession plans.
Similarly, during Kim’s visit to China in September last year, Ju Ae traveled with him but did not appear at any official public events.
Likely heir, but appearances alone do not confirm succession
While many analysts currently view Ju Ae as the leading successor candidate, they caution against drawing firm conclusions based solely on the frequency of her public appearances.
In authoritarian systems, where power is concentrated in the supreme leader, openly elevating a second-ranking figure or designated heir too early can create political risks.
Yang Uk, a research fellow at the Asan Institute for Policy Studies, said individuals widely recognized as a regime’s second-in-command can become politically vulnerable.
“For that reason, authoritarian regimes generally avoid placing a true No. 2 figure too prominently in the public eye,” he said, adding that Ju Ae’s recent absence should not be overinterpreted.
Park likewise stressed that, while Ju Ae appears to be the strongest contender to succeed Kim, that does not necessarily mean she has been formally designated as his heir.