Kim Jong-un is said to be grooming his teenage daughter to succeed him as leader of North Korea. The tubby tyrant became supreme ruler in 2011 after the death of his father and the hermit kingdom’s second leader, Kim Jong-il.
Two years after he assumed control of North Korea, Kim Jong-un’s uncle, Chang Song-thaek, was executed for “treachery”. Chang was believed to have mentored his nephew during the transition from Kim Jong-il to Kim Jong-un.
At the start of his reign, Kim Jong-un used brute force to assert his authority, having had little preparation for leadership.
Expert, Michael Madden, founder of NK Leadership Watch, said it was true Kim Jong-un is “going early” on succession plans.
He told The Sun: “His own succession was done somewhat on-the-fly and he had a rough and tumble time when he assumed office.”
Mr Madden said Kim didn’t want his successor to go through what he did, adding: “He doesn’t want his daughter to be in a position where she sends her aunt, Kim Yo-jong, to the firing squad like he did with his uncle.”
The Committee for Human Rights in North Korea (HRNK) reported in September that concerns about Kim Jong-un’s health have “surfaced repeatedly”.
It said: “Observers note his heavy drinking, irregular eating habits and latenight work schedule — all reminiscent of his father, Kim Jong-il, who died at 69.
“Yet Kim Jong-un’s outward physical condition appears worse, leading many to believe that while he may survive several more years, his lifestyle likely shortens his life expectancy”.
Psychologist Ian Robertson, of Trinity College, Dublin, is cited in the report as saying that fear of death may be a driving factor behind the elevation of Kim Jong-un’s daughter, Kim Ju-ae.
The report notes: “Narcissistic dictators often see themselves as immortal. As death nears, that illusion cracks – but by installing a dynastic successor, they project their legacy forward”.
Kim Ju-ae is believed to have been born in 2013. There are also rumours of a son, though the report, citing foreigners close to Kim Jong-un, says there is no evidence of one.
Ju-ae reportedly appeared on North Korean TV in September 2022 as the country marked the 74th anniversary of its founding.
Two months later, Pyongyang issued photos of Kim Jong-un at the launch of a Hwasong-17 intercontinental ballistic missile, during which Ju-ae was standing next to him.
HRNK’s report says a growing number of observers believe Kim Jong-un may be grooming Kim Ju-ae to become the fourth-generation ruler of North Korea.
Her official debut in 2022 was “no accident but a carefully calculated move”, HRNK reports. Since then Ju-ae accompanied her father to China and met Russia’s ambassador to North Korea, Alexander Matsegora.
Mr Madden said it was “highly probable” that Ju-ae would hold a formal position in the regime in 10 years.
Human Rights Watch describes North Korea as one of the most repressive countries in the world. A 2014 UN Commission of Inquiry report found the country committed widespread rights violations, constituting crimes against humanity.
Under Kim Jong-un, North Korea “maintains fearful obedience” via arbitrary punishments, torture, executions, unjust imprisonment and forced labour.
Sexual and domestic violence against women and girls is rife and considered normal, according to the UN report.