Kim Ju Ae
She is known for high-profile public appearances alongside her father at state and military events, leading intelligence agencies and international analysts to identify her as his prospective successor.
Early reports and identity
Her existence was first brought to international attention by former American basketball player Dennis Rodman following his visit to Pyongyang in 2013. Rodman recounted holding the infant daughter of Kim Jong Un and Ri Sol Ju during his trip.
State media initially introduced her using terms such as "beloved" and "precious" daughter before transitioning to the honorific "respected daughter," a title historically associated with the highest ranks of North Korean leadership. North Korean defectors and intelligence analysts have noted alternative transliterations and names, including Un Ju and Ju Ye, though state media typically refers to her without using a personal name.
Public appearances
Kim Ju Ae made her first official public appearance on 18 November 2022, accompanying her father to the test launch of a Hwasong-17 intercontinental ballistic missile. Following her debut, the Korea Stamp Corporation issued commemorative postage stamps depicting her and Kim Jong Un at the launch site.
She subsequently attended numerous major state and military functions, including the Day of the Shining Star commemorations, the 75th anniversary foundation parade of North Korea, and New Year festivities in Pyongyang. In September 2025, she made her first official trip abroad when she accompanied her father to a military parade in Beijing, China. Her public outings have also included military drills, warship launch ceremonies, and visits to the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun.
Succession assessments
Her frequent placement at major national functions sparked widespread analysis regarding her role in the political hierarchy. In March 2024, North Korean media referenced her as a "great person of guidance" alongside Kim Jong Un during a public outing.
South Korea's National Intelligence Service briefed lawmakers in 2024 that she was undergoing training for leadership succession. By early 2026, the agency assessed that she had progressed to the designation phase as her father's heir apparent, citing her participation in policy discussions and prominent placement at military ceremonies.
Quick facts
- Her existence was first revealed publicly in 2013 by former NBA player Dennis Rodman after his visit to Pyongyang.
- She made her public debut on 18 November 2022 alongside her father at a Hwasong-17 missile test launch.
- The Korea Stamp Corporation featured her alongside Kim Jong Un on official postage stamps issued in February 2023.
- North Korean state media has referred to her with titles including "respected daughter" and "great person of guidance."
- She made her first official international appearance in September 2025 during a military parade in Beijing, China.
FAQs about Kim Ju Ae
How many children does Kim Jong Un of North Korea have?
South Korean intelligence assessments and defector accounts indicate Kim Jong Un may have three children, with reports suggesting an older sibling born in 2010 and a younger sibling born in 2017. Kim Ju Ae is the only child who has appeared in public or been featured in North Korean state media.
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