South Korea’s National Intelligence Service said on Thursday that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s daughter is believed to have a younger sibling.
The agency issued a statement that assessed Kim Ju Ae as the likely successor. It added that she has a younger sibling whose gender remains unknown.
The National Intelligence Service previously stated that Kim Jong Un is believed to have three children. However, uncertainty had persisted about their order of birth.
The agency said it currently assesses that Kim Ju Ae is being groomed as the successor. It further noted that it continues to verify whether she has an older brother.
The National Intelligence Service stated that even if an older brother exists, he is not in a position to become the successor.
Kim Ju Ae first appeared in public in 2022. She accompanied her father to the launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile at that time.
Since 2022, Kim Ju Ae has appeared at several major political events with Kim Jong Un. These included a high-profile visit to Beijing.
North Korean state media has referred to her as “the beloved child” and a “great person of guidance.” The term “hyangdo” in Korean is typically reserved for top leaders and their successors.
The Kim family has ruled North Korea for decades. A cult of personality surrounding their Paektu bloodline continues to dominate daily life in the isolated country.
