In November last year, the Korean Central News Agency and other North Korean state media published photos of a young girl, dressed in a white padded jacket and red shoes, holding hands with Kim Jong Un while inspecting a missile launch site.
Media reported that North Korea “tested its new missile and Kim Jong-un personally led the operation alongside his beloved child.”
This photo gave the world a first look at the fourth generation of the ruling dynasty in Pyongyang, and South Korea’s national intelligence service has confirmed that the girl pictured is Jo Ae.
Attendance
Since then, Kim Jong-un has repeatedly brought his daughter with him to public events, including missile test launches, a military parade to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the North Korean People’s Army, and a sports competition. to celebrate the birthday of his grandfather, Kim Il-sung.
It’s now quite common to see Kim attending events with her daughter by her side.
With the girl’s repeated appearances in the media, private government media began to publish special titles for her, such as “the noble girl” and “the honorable girl”.
This has prompted scholars in South Korea and abroad to analyze the reasons behind Ju Ai’s sudden public appearance, and even come up with various theories to explain it.
The most common theories:
Kim Ju Ae’s appearance at missile sites is meant as a reminder that the regime will provide security for future generations through the development of nuclear weapons and missiles. Jo Ai was named Kim Jong-un’s successor. The girl’s appearance means there’s an ongoing power struggle between Kim Jong-un’s wife (Ri Sol-ju) and his sister (Kim Yo-jong).
Among these theories, the heart of the debate revolves around the question of Kim’s succession.
However, different theories have indicated that the process of becoming “Crown Prince” is unlikely, for three main reasons:
She is young, as reports say she is only 10 years old. Being a daughter, she would break the North Korean tradition of passing covenant guardianship from father to son. Reports say he has an eldest son, three years older than Jo Ae, making him the logical successor to Kim Jong Un.
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