Kim Jong Un’s Daughter Elevates Status with Visit to Historic Mausoleum

On January 1, Kim Ju Ae, the teenage daughter of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, made her first publicly recognized visit to a monument of notable familial and national significance. She was seen paying respects at the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun in Pyongyang, the mausoleum housing the preserved bodies of her grandfather and great-grandfather, Kim Jong Il and Kim Il Sung, respectively. Photographs published by North Korean media depict the young girl standing front and center alongside her parents, engaged in a deep bow at the site. Observers interpret this visit as a deliberate political act aimed at consolidating Kim Ju Ae’s standing as her father’s potential heir in a regime known for its dynastic leadership. Cheong Seong-Chang, deputy director of South Korea’s Sejong Institute, described the mausoleum as symbolic of the regime’s legitimacy. The timing of the visit ahead of the forthcoming Workers’ Party congress adds to the perception of a calculated maneuver within North Korea’s political landscape. Kim Jong Un, who inherited leadership as the third generation since the country’s establishment in 1948, is known to commemorate critical state occasions by honoring his predecessors at this mausoleum. Given this context, the inclusion of his daughter in such ceremonies suggests an elevation of her political profile. The congress — anticipated to be held in January or February according to South Korea’s National Intelligence Service (NIS) — seeks to outline new state priorities and potentially reshuffle official positions. There is conjecture among analysts that Kim Ju Ae could be named to a significant role, potentially the Workers’ Party’s first secretary, often considered the party’s second highest office, although some experts suggest she may receive less prominent assignments due to her young age. Since appearing in state media in late 2022, Kim Ju Ae has been increasingly visible, accompanying her father to military parades and missile launches, and in a notable instance, traveling with him to Beijing. Public displays of affection, such as her kiss to her father on New Year’s Day, have underscored their close relationship. The NIS’s assessment in early 2024 described Kim Ju Ae as the likely successor to Kim Jong Un, although some outside analysts remain cautious, noting the male-dominated power structure and Kim Jong Un’s relatively youthful age. The NIS also indicated no known health problems for Kim Jong Un, reducing uncertainty about immediate leadership needs. The public reveal of Kim Ju Ae contrasts with previous leadership patterns, where neither Kim Jong Un nor his father were publicly acknowledged in media until reaching adulthood. This strategic exposure may reflect an effort by Kim Jong Un to garner public support and legitimize the continuation of his family’s rule through the next generation.