NIS: "Kim Juae Effectively Designated as Successor... Imprinting Her as Leader Among North Koreans"

The National Intelligence Service (NIS) reported to the National Assembly on September 1, 2026, that it assesses North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's daughter, Kim Ju Ae, to have essentially entered the phase of being designated as successor. The NIS also analyzed that her frequent exposure in the media lately serves the purpose of imprinting her as the next leader among North Korean citizens.

Yangsoo Lee, chairman of the National Assembly Intelligence Committee, is striking the gavel at the full meeting of the Intelligence Committee held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, on the 1st. Photo by the National Assembly Press Photographers Association / Yonhap News Agency

Yoon Gunyoung, a lawmaker from the Democratic Party of Korea, and Yoo Youngha, a lawmaker from the People Power Party, who serve as secretaries of the National Assembly Intelligence Committee for each party, delivered the report to the press after the committee's closed-door full meeting on the same day.

Assemblyman Yoon said regarding the background of Kim Ju Ae's media appearances, "We consider this as evidence that Kim Ju Ae has effectively entered the stage of being designated as successor," adding, "We believe there is a purpose in having her recognized as a leader by North Korean citizens."

According to Assemblyman Yoon, the NIS assessed the prospect of a North Korea-U.S. summit by saying, "It should be considered possible at any time." However, the agency reported that while there are some signs of dialogue, no concrete contacts between North Korea and the United States have been confirmed so far.

In regards to inter-Korean relations, the NIS reported that, concerning President Lee Jaemyung's proposal during the Liberation Day address on August 15 for dialogue among the relevant parties, there has so far been no concrete discussions or contacts at the NIS level.

The NIS also briefed on military and intelligence trends in North Korea. According to Assemblyman Yoo, the agency stated it had secured and was analyzing internal North Korean documents and missile design blueprints.

The committee was also briefed that North Korea has expanded and reorganized its former Reconnaissance General Bureau into the "Reconnaissance and Intelligence General Bureau," thereby strengthening its counterintelligence functions. Ri Changho, the head of the Reconnaissance and Intelligence General Bureau, is said to concurrently serve as the commander of the Overseas Special Operations Command, and the NIS analysis is that these moves are intended to process operational information stemming from the war in Ukraine.

The NIS also reported cases of blocking the overseas leakage of advanced technologies. Assemblyman Yoo explained that an attempt to leak the blueprints of a new nuclear reactor was detected and prevented, and a separate attempt to photograph and leak the Surion helicopter engine was also uncovered and thwarted.

An additional report stated that the NIS has established a new organization to oversee its artificial intelligence (AI) policy, forming a related team by recruiting talent who previously served as professors at KAIST.

Meanwhile, the NIS reported to the Intelligence Committee that it had launched a large-scale audit on August 25 in connection with the "12·3 Illegal Insurrection." Assemblyman Yoon added that the NIS, regarding the North Korea Influence Operations Response Task Force, answered that there were concerns about surveillance of civilians, and that in accordance with the results of the special audit, personnel actions may also be considered.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.