Kim Jong-un's daughter draws attention for wearing a leather jacket like her father

Kim Jong-un's daughter wore a leather jacket similar to her father's at a military parade, further fueling speculation that she is his successor.

North Korean media today released images showing leader Kim Jong-un and his daughter Kim Ju-ae both wearing black leather jackets, standing side-by-side as they observed a large-scale military parade for the 9th Workers' Party Congress. Kim's wife, Ri Sol-ju, also appeared alongside them in similar attire.

Ju-ae is believed to have been born in 2012 and is the North Korean leader's second daughter, according to South Korean intelligence. North Korea first publicly revealed images of Ju-ae in 11/2022 when she accompanied her father during an intercontinental ballistic missile launch.

She has long been considered a potential successor. This assessment has been reinforced by Ju-ae's recent public appearances. Early this month, South Korea's National Intelligence Service (NIS) stated that Ju-ae had been "designated as the successor".

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and his daughter Kim Ju-ae at the military parade in Binh Nhuong on 25/2. *Photo: KCNA*

Analyst Lim Eul-chul suggested that the jackets, a familiar attire for Kim at important events, are not merely a fashion choice.

"In North Korea's system of political symbolism, that style carries a special meaning. It is associated with the leader's image as the ultimate guarantor of national security and a prosperous future. Therefore, it is hard to view it as a coincidence that this symbolic attire was worn by Kim's daughter", Lim said.

Other images from the parade showed Ju-ae walking the red carpet alongside her father, as senior army generals saluted him.