South Korea’s National Intelligence Service (NIS) has told lawmakers that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s teenage daughter, widely believed to be Kim Ju Ae and around 13 years old, is close to being designated as his successor, marking a rare potential shift in the nation’s dynastic leadership.

This assessment comes as North Korea prepares for its biggest political event of the year, the ruling Workers’ Party Congress, where Kim is expected to outline state policy for the next five years and reinforce his control.

NIS officials told lawmakers that Ju Ae has moved from being described as undergoing “successor training” to entering a “successor‑designate stage,” a significant upgrade in how

South Korean intelligence views her role in the regime. Her increased public visibility at high‑profile military parades, weapons tests, and factory inspections, as well as a symbolic New Year’s Day visit to the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun with her parents — a mausoleum that houses her grandfather and great‑grandfather, both former leaders — has fueled speculation about her future leadership role.

Although North Korean state media has never confirmed her name, referring to her only as Kim Jong Un’s “respected” or “most beloved” child, external reports widely identify her as Kim Ju Ae based on accounts including one from former NBA Star Dennis Rodman, who said he held her as a baby during a 2013 visit to Pyongyang.

South Korea’s intelligence assessment indicates that Kim Ju Ae is not just a ceremonial figure but may already be providing input on policy matters and is being treated as the de facto second‑highest authority in the regime — a notable change in a system historically led exclusively by male members of the Kim dynasty since its founding in 1948.

Analysts believe that the upcomingWorkers’ Party Congress, which hasn’t been held since 2021 and is scheduled for late February, could be the venue where her succession is subtly acknowledged, possibly through symbolic roles or state rhetoric highlighting dynastic continuity.

Some experts suggest that she might be given a powerful title like First Secretary of the party, though formal mentions may be limited by party rules requiring adult status for official roles.

Despite her growing prominence, external skepticism remains due to North Korea’s traditionally patriarchal political culture, and analysts caution that any public succession announcement may be gradual and symbolic rather than immediate.

However, Seoul’s intelligence shift from “training” to “designate” suggests a deliberate effort by Kim Jong Un to institutionalize his daughter’s position, potentially extending the Kim dynasty into its fourth generation.