Seoul Intelligence Suggests Kim Jong Un Grooming Daughter as Successor

Post by : Saif

South Korean intelligence officials now believe North Korean leader Kim Jong Un may be preparing his daughter to eventually take over the country’s leadership. Lawmakers in Seoul shared this assessment after receiving a closed-door briefing from the National Intelligence Service (NIS), pointing to stronger signs that she is being placed in a future ruling role.

According to the briefing, Kim Ju Ae — believed to be Kim Jong Un’s daughter — is no longer being viewed only as a possible successor in theory. Intelligence officials reportedly told lawmakers that she appears to be moving into the stage of internal selection as the next leader. This marks a shift from earlier assessments, which described her only as a candidate under observation.

Her growing public presence has caught the attention of analysts around the world. Over the past few years, North Korean state media has shown her standing next to her father at missile launches, military inspections, factory visits, and national ceremonies. In many of these events, she is given a central and respectful position, which is rarely accidental in North Korea’s tightly managed media system.

South Korean lawmakers said the intelligence agency believes her role at these events suggests she may already be giving input on certain policy matters. Some officials described her as being treated like a second-ranking figure in the leadership circle, at least symbolically.

Observers are now watching an upcoming meeting of North Korea’s ruling Workers’ Party expected later this month. Intelligence officials say they will look closely at whether Kim Ju Ae appears at the meeting and whether she is given any formal title. If that happens, it would be one of the clearest public signs yet that a succession plan is being put in place.

North Korea operates under a family-based ruling structure. Leadership has passed from grandfather to father to son over three generations — from Kim Il Sung to Kim Jong Il to Kim Jong Un. If Kim Ju Ae is confirmed as successor in the future, she would become the fourth generation of the same family to rule the country, and the first woman to hold that position.

Still, there has been no official public announcement from North Korea about a successor. Much of the current understanding comes from intelligence analysis of state media patterns, event staging, and insider reporting. Such assessments can change as new information appears.

Experts say early successor planning can help avoid power struggles inside closed political systems. When elites know who the next leader will be, they are more likely to stay united. Showing a future leader in public again and again can help build recognition and authority over time.

The same intelligence briefing also mentioned North Korea’s ongoing military projects. Lawmakers said Kim Jong Un is overseeing development of a large submarine that may be able to carry multiple ballistic missiles. These submarine-based missiles are important because they can be launched from hidden locations at sea. However, officials cautioned that it is not yet clear how advanced or fully working this submarine program is.

Leadership planning and military development often move together in North Korea. The government’s power is closely tied to its armed forces and weapons programs. Any future leader would likely continue to focus on defense strength and strategic weapons.

From an editorial view, the situation shows how leadership transition in North Korea is very different from democratic systems. There are no public campaigns or elections. Decisions are shaped inside a small, powerful circle, and family connection plays a major role.

Even so, caution is necessary. Public appearances and symbolic roles do not always guarantee final leadership outcomes. Internal politics, health issues, and global events can all change plans quickly.

For now, one thing is clear: Kim Jong Un’s daughter is being shown more often, in more important settings, and with greater status than before. That alone makes her a central figure to watch in North Korea’s political future.

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