Daughter Kim Ju-ae could take over from North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un, according to South Korea’s intelligence chief, reports Independent.
In the past year, she has been seen at 19 official functions and has been named “general morning star”.
She made her first official appearance at a missile launch in November 2022 and has accompanied her father for several ceremonies.
The importance of these solemn events and the way state media refer to her as the “loved child”, “respected child” and now even “general morning star” have led many to speculate that she will be North Korea’s next dictator.
According to many, her status with the regime seems to grow with every event she attends. South Korea’s intelligence chief Cho Tae-yong recently appeared on television and confirmed that the intelligence service believes she will be his successor.
Shown in public contexts
South Korea’s Unification Minister Kim Yung-ho also confirmed this on Tuesday. According to him, Kim Jon-un showing her off in public indicates that the dictator sees her as his heir, the paper reports. The fact that military officials and officers also salute her at these events is considered by experts to be further signs that she is next in line for power.
According to the newspaper, the estimated 13-year-old Kim Ju-ae is the first of Kim Jong-un’s children to be photographed in official contexts with the dictator.
She inherited the title of “General Morning Star” which first belonged to her grandfather Kim Yung-ho who founded North Korea. Even Kim Jong-un was called by that name before he took power.