02.01.2026 17:48
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's visit to the symbolic family monument with his daughter Kim Ju-ae on the first day of the year has reignited discussions about his "viewing his daughter as his successor." Experts argue that this visit to the palace, which they describe as a "symbol of the legitimacy of the North Korean regime," is a politically planned move.
According to the news from the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), the official news agency of North Korea, Kim visited the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun, where the country's founder Kim Il-sung and other family members' mausoleums are located, yesterday on the occasion of the new year.
HE WAS IN THE FRONT LINE WITH HIS FATHER
In the footage of the visit, which was also attended by senior government officials, Ju-ae was seen in the front line and in the center with her father.
"A POLITICALLY PLANNED MOVE"
Speaking to the Associated Press, South Korean experts argued that the visit to this palace, which they described as a "symbol of the legitimacy of the North Korean regime," was a politically planned move. Experts speaking to South Korea's Yonhap agency also suggested that the visit aimed to bring Ju-ae, who is believed to have been born in 2013, into the spotlight as a "potential heir."
STATUS TO BE CLARIFIED
Experts believe that Ju-ae's status will also be clarified at the 9th Congress of the Workers' Party of Korea, which is expected to be held early this year and will determine the 5-year development plan.
WHAT HAPPENED?
Since her first appearance in state media in 2022, Kim Ju-ae has drawn attention by accompanying her father Kim Jong-un at many events, including military parades and missile tests. The South Korean National Intelligence Service (NIS) described Ju-ae as North Korea's "most likely successor" in its assessment in January 2024.