The National Intelligence Service (NIS) of South Korea reported to lawmakers during a closed parliamentary session on 12/2. The NIS stated its assessment was based on various factors, including Ju-ae's increasingly prominent appearances at official events.

Speaking to the media after the parliamentary meeting, lawmaker Lee Seong-kwen stated that the NIS previously described Ju-ae as "being trained to become the successor" but now considers her to be in the "designated successor" phase.

"Ju-ae has appeared at numerous events, including the anniversary of the founding of the North Korean army and a visit to the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun. The NIS also noted signs indicating Ju-ae has expressed opinions on some state policies", Lee said.

Lawmaker Park Sun-won commented that Ju-ae has begun contributing to policy through her role in public events and is effectively regarded as the "de facto number two leader".

Kim Ju-ae next to her father at the destroyer launching ceremony in Nampo, 4/2025. *Photo: KCNA*

The NIS stated it will closely monitor whether Ju-ae attends the Workers' Party of Korea Congress later this month. This is the country's largest political event, held once every five years, where Pyongyang announces its policy priorities for the next five years.

Kim Ju-ae is the daughter of Kim and Ri Sol-ju. She 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.

Since then, Ju-ae has frequently appeared in the media, accompanying her father to important events, notably a visit to Beijing in 9/2025. North Korean media refers to Ju-ae as a "great guide", a term reserved for top-tier senior leaders.

The NIS believes that Kim has an older son, but Pyongyang has not confirmed this information.

Duc Trung (According to AP, Korea Times, KCNA)