NIS: "Even If Kim Ju-ae Has an Older Brother, He Is Unlikely to Become the Successor"

The National Intelligence Service (NIS) assessed that Kim Ju-ae, the daughter of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, is currently at the stage of being designated as his successor. The agency also determined that even if Kim Ju-ae does have an older brother, it is not a situation in which he could become the successor.

Korean Central Television broadcasted the recorded parade commemorating the 75th anniversary of the founding day of the Korean People's Army on February 9, 2023. The photo shows North Korean leader Kim Jong Un looking pleased as his daughter Kim Ju-ae touches his face during the main event of the parade. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

On the 9th, the NIS stated, "We currently believe Kim Ju-ae is in the stage of being designated as the successor, and we are also investigating the existence of a younger sibling whose gender is unknown."

The agency explained, "We are continuing to verify whether Kim Ju-ae has an older brother, but our assessment is that, even if one does exist, it is not a scenario in which he would become the successor." However, the NIS did not disclose specific grounds for this assessment.

Until now, the NIS had kept open the possibility of Kim Ju-ae having siblings while assessing the succession structure. In July 2024, while evaluating Kim Ju-ae as a prominent successor, the agency did not rule out the possibility of the successor changing, citing the potential for other siblings to emerge.

Currently, the agency considers Kim Ju-ae to be "at the stage of being designated as successor." At a closed session of the National Assembly Intelligence Committee in February, the NIS noted that Kim Ju-ae had expressed opinions on certain policy matters, concluding that she had entered the successor designation stage. On the 1st of this month, the NIS also reported to the National Assembly Intelligence Committee that Kim Ju-ae is effectively at the successor designation stage. The recent increase in Kim Ju-ae's public appearances is seen as an effort to imprint her as a leader among North Korean citizens.

Regarding this matter, an official from the Ministry of Unification told reporters at the Seoul Government Complex on this day, "There is nothing to confirm at this time, but we will discuss the issue with relevant agencies."

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