South Korean intelligence agency assesses Kim Jong Un’s lineage
South Korea’s National Intelligence Service (NIS) is investigating whether North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has an older son while reinforcing its assessment that his daughter is the likely successor, reports BritPanorama.
The agency’s statement came in response to recent media speculation suggesting that South Korean intelligence has determined that Kim does not have a son with his wife, Ri Sol Ju. The NIS asserted that even if a son exists, he would not be in a suitable position to inherit leadership from Kim, who took control of North Korea’s government after the 2011 death of his father.
According to previous assessments, Kim’s daughter, believed to be 13 and named Kim Ju Ae, is poised to assume leadership. The NIS previously indicated that her public appearances and participation in state events signify a growing political stature.
The NIS confirmed it is still validating the existence of an older brother for Kim Ju Ae, while clarifying that under present conditions, this hypothetical sibling could not be designated as an heir if he were to exist. Kim Jong Un also has a younger child, whose gender has not been publicly disclosed.
Details about Kim Ju Ae’s political potential were not fully elaborated in the NIS statement, but the agency referenced a thorough analysis of her involvement in public affairs and state protocols.
Since late 2022, Kim Ju Ae has been seen alongside her father at numerous significant events, including missile launches and military parades. State media has highlighted her close relationship with Kim, often describing her as his “most beloved” child, coupled with visual evidence showcasing their bond and her growing political visibility.
Reports of her name emerged from a recollection by former NBA star Dennis Rodman, who noted he held Kim Jong Un’s infant daughter during a visit to Pyongyang in 2013.
Earlier in 2023, a South Korean lawmaker stated that the NIS had informed a parliamentary committee that Kim Ju Ae allegedly had an older brother. Nonetheless, the agency later indicated that it was still trying to confirm reports of a son within the Kim family.
The question of whether Kim Ju Ae has an older brother significantly impacts external discussions regarding North Korea’s succession plans, given the regime’s entrenched patriarchal leadership structure. Historically, all three leaders of North Korea have been male members of the Kim dynasty, starting with Kim Il Sung, then Kim Jong Il, and now Kim Jong Un.
Some analysts express skepticism about whether senior North Korean officials would accept a female leader. Additionally, they point out that if Kim Ju Ae were to rise to power, her eventual marriage to a man from outside the Kim family could disrupt dynastic rule.
Conversely, other experts note that Kim Jong Un, at 42, may still consider himself too young to publicly name an heir, as this could risk undermining his absolute authority.
