Is Kim Jong-un’s ‘respected’ daughter North Korea’s next leader or merely a propaganda vehicle?
Park Chan-kyong

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un (left) and his daughter observing a demonstration flight as they visit the Korean People’s Army’s 1st Army Division Flight Regiment to commemorate “Aviation Day” on November 30. Photo: KCNA/dpa
Kim Ju-ae has been gaining prominence at public events, with South Korean authorities now considering the possibility she may be the heir apparent
Analysts say it is unlikely Ju-ae could succeed her father as North Korea's leader, given the country's male-dominated military structure
Is Kim Ju-ae, the 10-year-old daughter of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, the heir apparent or is she merely filling a pacemaker role until a male successor takes the helm?

This question looms large among political observers, as the North's state media increasingly highlights the girl's presence at public events, using progressively elevated terms of address, from "lovely child" to "dear child", and most recently, "respected child".

Analysts have noted the heightened attention on the girl in state pronouncements since she made her public debut in November last year, such as her inclusion in a series of commemorative stamps, while South Korean authorities are pivoting from initial scepticism to accepting her as the next leader of their rival neighbour.

Do you have questions about the biggest topics and trends from around the world? Get the answers with SCMP Knowledge, our new platform of curated content with explainers, FAQs, analyses and infographics brought to you by our award-winning team.

Kim Jong-un (centre) and his daughter (left) visit the 1st Air Force Division Flying Regiment of the Korean People's Army to commemorate
North Korean state media revealed her existence for the first time in November 2022, showing her standing alongside her father during a missile test launch, and since then the younger Kim has appeared in the North's propaganda mill 19 times, 16 of those for military events.

Observers have noted her quick development, both in physical appearance and demeanour, as she reportedly carries herself with a level of poise and confidence surpassing children her age. Her image has transitioned from childlike to a more mature look after she swapped her initial red flats for high-heels and now sports the same shoulder-length hair as her mother Ri Sol-ju.