<figure id="attachment_463414" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 2500px;" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-463414"><a href="#" data-ident_hash="b4e705cd"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/fridaydigital/image/private/t_article_image/wpmedia/2026/04/5284482a5412274e2d4060335b0d4e03.jpg" alt=""></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-463414" class="wp-caption-text">A father and daughter watching an “International Women’s Day” arts performance held in Pyongyang on March 8. Pay attention to the hand held at the lower center.</figcaption></figure>
<h3>The leading candidate for Kim Jong Un’s successor is the Princess of the North</h3>
A young girl walking in the center with an innocent expression, surrounded by strong soldiers—
On March 19, Ju Ae, the daughter of North Korea’s supreme leader Kim Jong Un, appeared while observing a military exercise that deployed a new tank. However, many mysteries surround the “Princess of the North.” Kenichi Bae, editor-in-chief of “Korea Report,” explains.
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<figure id="attachment_463411" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 2448px;" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-463411"><a href="#" data-ident_hash="dd495d2e"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/fridaydigital/image/private/t_article_image/wpmedia/2026/04/d5f24c5eb078b8752d7a47be42dbbdf5.jpg" alt=""></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-463411" class="wp-caption-text">Ju Ae, who inspected the March 19 military exercise alongside her father Kim Jong Un wearing a matching black leather jacket.</figcaption></figure>
“There is no certainty whether her name is real, whether she is the eldest or second daughter, or even her exact age. There are two theories regarding her birth year: if she was born in 2010 she would be 16, and if in 2013 she would be 13. However, she is undoubtedly the leading candidate for Kim Jong Un’s successor.
Since her first appearance at a missile launch test observation in November 2022, she has frequently been reported appearing alongside her father, and she also accompanied Kim Jong Un on his visit to China in September last year.”
Ju Ae appeared in public 19 times in 2023, 14 times in 2024, and 13 times in 2025. This year, she is appearing at a pace that exceeds the past three years. Bae continues:
“Kim Jong Un’s grandfather (Kim Il Sung) and father (Kim Jong Il) both died suddenly of myocardial infarction. With Kim Jong Un himself reportedly having health concerns, this is not something he can treat as irrelevant. Even though she is still a teenager, he likely intends to have his daughter gain experience early and raise her as a successor.
Most of Ju Ae’s visits are to military-related sites. She has been seen operating new tanks and test-firing rifles. I think this is meant as an appeal that she is familiar with the military. For leaders of dictatorships, the most important thing is controlling the military. It is also a performance to ensure that the military does not underestimate a young woman.”
In North Korea, the idolization of teenage girls appears to be already underway.
From “FRIDAY,” April 10, 2026 issue

 Kyodo News

 Kim Joo-ae is currently considered the most likely successor to North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong-Un. He has been appearing in public more and more, mostly in military-related settings. The editor-in-chief of Korea Report explains why.

Kim Jong Un’s Daughter Repeatedly Appears in Public—Mystery Grows Over North Korea’s Possible Successor

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