Kim Jong Un is believed to have named his teenage daughter as his heir ahead of North Korea’s biggest political conference later this month.
According to the National Intelligence Service, Kim’s daughter, whose name is believed to be Kim Ju Ae and thought to be 13, will be the fourth supreme leader of North Korea.
Here are four things to know as the situation is monitored further.
How early does North Korea name its heir?
North Korea has only experienced two shifts of power since its founding in 1948 with Kim Il Sung, according to news reports.
The Guardian reported that Kim Jong Un was 26 when he was publicly named heir at a party conference in 2010. Following his father’s stroke in 2011, Kim was thrust into the supreme leader role with little preparation.
Kim Jong Un’s father, Kim Jong Il, had much more preparation when he assumed North Korea’s throne in 1994. Kim Jong Il was officially named Kim Il Sung’s successor in 1980, but was believed to be groomed for leadership as early as 1974.
Some analysts believe Kim Jong Un selecting a successor at this time may be due to his abrupt assumption of supreme leader responsibilities.
Kim Jong Un’s health
Kim Jong Un choosing an heir sparks question about his health. Kim stands at 5 feet, 7 inches tall, and once weighed 308 pounds before appearing to lose a large amount of weight in 2021. In more recent photos, Kim seems to have gained the weight back, CBS News reported in 2024.
The 42-year-old leader has shown symptoms of high blood pressure and diabetes since he was 30 years old, the NIS told lawmakers. It’s believed these health problems are due to drinking, smoking and stress, reports the NIS has difficulty confirming.
Female leaders in North Korea
South Korea expressed doubt that Kim Ju Ae would be selected as heir due to cultural tradition of male-dominated leadership, according to The Guardian. However, her increasing public appearance prompted reassessment. After further analysis and increases in her appearances alongside her father, it’s likely she will be announced heir very soon.
Kim Ju Ae will be the first female supreme leader of North Korea, but it’s not a first for women to hold positions of leadership. Since Kim Jong Un’s leadership, women have been appointed to various roles such as vice minister of Foreign Affairs, Central Committee of the Worker’s Party and leading roles in economic affairs, 38North reported.
Some of the women include members of the Kim family: Kim Yo Jong (sister), Kim Kyong Hui (aunt) and Ri Sol Ju (wife) as first lady, a position Kim Jong Il did not include.
Questions about succession and family structure
NPR reports it’s likely that Kim Ju Ae has an older brother and another younger sibling, but no gender confirmed.
Reports have been unable to confirm whether his son holds the mental capacity to hold such a position.
It appears birth order and gender is not pertinent to be appointed leader of North Korea as Kim Jong Un was his father’s second youngest while his father was Kim Il Sung’s oldest son.
Nonetheless, Kim Jong Un choosing his daughter as heir is a huge shift from his father and a first for North Korea.