In 1/2024, Kim and his daughter Ju-ae visited a poultry farm, marking a rare instance of her accompanying him to an economically related site. 19 of her previous 24 appearances were at military events.

Kim Ju-ae (third from right) stood behind Kim Jong-un as the North Korean leader boarded an armored train at a station in Beijing on the afternoon of 2/9.

This was the first time Kim Ju-ae accompanied Kim Jong-un to China. His wife, Ri Sol-ju, had accompanied him on his previous three visits to the country.

Kim and his daughter Ju-ae visited a newly built luxury resort in Wonsan in 12/2024.

Kim Ju-ae is one of three children of Kim and Ri. She is believed to have been born in 2012 and is the North Korean leader's second child, according to South Korean intelligence.

Pictured are Ri (left), Kim Ju-ae, and Kim Jong-un, along with military officials at an event marking the 75th anniversary of the founding of the North Korean army in 2/2023.

Kim and Ju-ae attended the launch of a new destroyer in Nampo on 26/4. Media outlets noted that, three years after her first appearance, Ju-ae appeared more mature and taller than her parents.

The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) first released images of Ju-ae in 11/2022, when Kim took his daughter to inspect the launch site of the Hwasong-17 intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM).

KCNA at the time referred to Ju-ae as Kim's "beloved daughter". Her appearance overshadowed the test of the missile, which is believed to be capable of reaching the US. Observers suggested this was a subtle signal of the next generation of leadership, as well as Kim's nuclear vision.

Since then, Ju-ae has regularly accompanied her father to important events. North Korean media began referring to Ju-ae as his "respected daughter".

South Korean intelligence initially assessed that Kim and his wife's first child was a son, born in 2010. However, South Korea's Unification Minister said in 2023 that the country "could not confirm with certainty" whether Kim has a son.

Kim and his daughter Ju-ae inspected the launch of a Hwasong-18 ICBM at an undisclosed location in 4/2023.

Ju-ae's continuous appearances alongside the North Korean leader have led many to believe she is a leading candidate to succeed him.

Ju-ae, wearing a fur-collared leather jacket and dark glasses, accompanied her father to an air show at an undisclosed location in 11/2023.

Kim Jong-un became North Korea's leader after the death of his father, Kim Jong-il, in 2011. Kim Jong-il had succeeded his father, Kim Il-sung, the country's founder.

In 3/2024, North Korean media referred to Ju-ae as a "great leader," a term usually reserved for top-ranking officials.

This was the first time Ju-ae was addressed with such formality by North Korean media. Observers viewed this as the first sign of her elevation to leadership status.

Pictured are Ju-ae and her father at the inauguration ceremony of Jonwi City in Pyongyang in 5/2024.

Kim and Ju-ae attended a warship launch ceremony in Raijin on 12/6.

Observers believe her appearance alongside her father in Beijing on 2/9 was a move to affirm Ju-ae's status on the international stage.

Cheong Seong-chang, an expert from the Center for North Korean Studies at the Sejong Institute in South Korea, remarked that this elevated Ju-ae to the position of North Korea's "second most important person".