Kim Jong Un arrived in Beijing on Tuesday for his first visit in several years, accompanied by his daughter, Kim Ju Ae, who is also considered a potential successor, according to the National Intelligence Service (NIS).
The young girl is thought to be approximately 12 or 13 years old, and her initial public appearance outside her native country suggests a possible role as an heir-in-waiting, a parenting expert speculates. She was first introduced publicly in North Korea in 2022.
Dressed in a formal black suit, Kim Ju Ae followed her father as they were greeted by Communist Party officials ahead of China’s military parade, commemorating the 80th anniversary of Japan’s surrender in World War II.
On Wednesday, she is expected to stand alongside Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping.
An expert cautioned that bringing Kim Ju Ae into the global spotlight at a young age could lead to negative consequences.
“She’s being molded into a role, rather than being allowed to discover her own identity, and that immense pressure could significantly impact her mental health,” Kirsty Ketley told Digital.
“Even a meticulously prepared successor, as she could become, would struggle when thrust into leadership, even later in life.
“It’s probable she’ll receive constant coaching, but that doesn’t remove the emotional burden of having your future predetermined at such an early stage.”
North Korea’s renowned father and daughter departed Pyongyang on Monday for the international event, traveling to China by armored train to witness the country’s largest-ever demonstration of military strength.
The event will last 70 minutes and feature soldiers, tanks, anti-drone systems, and aircraft parading through Tiananmen Square, observed by Presidents Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin.
Previously, Kim Ju Ae was seen at a missile launch in November 2022 and other public engagements within North Korea in June.
The NIS has stated that Kim Ju Ae enjoys skiing, horse riding, and swimming, and is privately homeschooled in Pyongyang. She is also reportedly featured on North Korean postage stamps.
Ketley suggested that a child of her age should be anticipating high school and exploring boundaries in relatively secure environments.
“Kim Ju Ae doesn’t get those typical privileges because her environment now consists of military parades and meetings with global leaders,” Ketley warned.
“While she might be carefully shielded and trained, internally she could well be experiencing anxiety, confusion, or even loneliness. Intense public scrutiny can hinder children’s emotional development.”
Despite her global introduction on Tuesday, Kim Ju Ae’s precise age is not known to the public. She is believed to be the second of Kim Jong Un and his wife, Ri Sol-Ju’s, three children, as the dictator maintains secrecy regarding his family.
A retired NBA star inadvertently disclosed the girl’s existence over a decade ago in an interview with The Guardian.
During a 2013 trip to Pyongyang, Rodman informed reporters that he had “held the baby Ju Ae,” characterizing Kim Jong Un as a “good dad.”
“If I were advising Kim Jong Un, I’d encourage him to balance his daughter’s exposure to power with opportunities for normality, including friendships, play, and chances to fail, which are the foundational elements of resilience,” Ketley stated.