South Korean media reported on Monday that the North Korean leader has assigned his teenage daughter a leadership position within the regime’s powerful “Missile Administration,” which is the body responsible for overseeing Pyongyang’s nuclear forces.
The reports stated that the girl, Ju Ae, who is thought to be 13 or 14 years old, was assessed by South Korean intelligence received on Sunday to be serving as a “missile general director” while authorities observe the progress of the ongoing Ninth Congress of the ruling Workers’ Party.
Media, citing high-level government sources informed about the matter, stated that intelligence agencies had obtained reports that Kim’s daughter has been promoted to that position.
Although Jang Chang-ha is officially listed as the director of the administration, intelligence indicated that Kim’s is getting briefings from generals and issuing instructions.
South Korea’s National Intelligence Service recently informed lawmakers that her public profile indicates she is also in the ” as a successor,” and added that situations have been observed where she offers policy opinions, according to The Associated Press.
The teenager has appeared alongside her father at high-profile military events, such as intercontinental ballistic missile launches and weapon inspections.
North Korean state media first confirmed her existence in November 2022, and only described her as a “” when she accompanied Kim during the launch of the Hwasong-17 ICBM.
Her name has never been officially revealed by Pyongyang.
Her reported role occurs as Kim continues to display advancements in the country’s weapons programs.
On February 18, Kim was photographed driving a nuclear-capable 600mm in Pyongyang, promoting it as one of the most powerful of its type.
State media displayed rows of launch vehicles and stated that the rockets, which Kim claimed rival short-range ballistic missiles and use artificial intelligence in their guidance systems, have “completely transformed” modern artillery warfare, according to Reuters.
As previously reported by Digital, secretary of the ruling Workers’ Party of Korea on February 22, a decision announced by state-run media after the party’s Ninth Congress.
North Korea has suspended all significant diplomacy with the United States and South Korea since the breakdown of a 2019 summit between Kim and President .
This occurred due to disagreements about in return for measures to scale back Kim’s nuclear and missile program.