North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un has elevated his daughter, Kim Ju-ae, to the international stage by bringing her to an official diplomatic event at the Russian Embassy in Pyongyang. The appearance marks what experts are calling her first formal role in diplomacy, reinforcing long-standing speculation that she is being groomed to succeed her father.
Kim Ju-ae, estimated to be 12 or 13 years old, attended the May 9 celebration of the 80th anniversary of the Allied victory in Europe. She was prominently seated beside Russian Ambassador Alexander Matsegora, clearly visible in official state images and video coverage. The North Korean regime’s propaganda arm, Korean Central News Agency, referred to her for the first time as the “most beloved daughter,” a title that analysts believe signals a formal shift in her public role.
The Kim regime has a history of signaling succession through state imagery. When Ju-ae was first introduced to the public in 2022, it was during a missile test, immediately sparking global attention. Her appearance alongside Kim at the embassy event continues that strategy, placing her directly in the path of North Korea’s international allies.
North Korea’s alliance with Russia has grown significantly in the past year. The regime signed a mutual defense treaty with Moscow in 2024 and later deployed troops to support Russian operations in Ukraine. During his May 9 speech, Kim compared Ukraine’s actions to Nazi aggression and pledged military support for Russia under the terms of their alliance. He referred to Russian President Vladimir Putin as a “comrade” and “most intimate friend,” echoing Soviet-era propaganda and omitting any mention of the United States’ decisive role in defeating Nazi Germany.
Kim’s comments reinforced anti-Western sentiment, accusing the U.S. and its allies of using “tacky, defective munitions” and threatening to mobilize North Korean forces should the West challenge Russia further. These remarks were made on a day intended to honor the end of fascism in Europe, yet Kim used the occasion to align more closely with Russian historical revisionism.
The decision to feature Kim Ju-ae so prominently, particularly in front of foreign dignitaries, reflects North Korea’s attempt to normalize her as the heir in both domestic and international arenas. Her positioning, title, and engagement with diplomats are all indicators that the regime is methodically preparing her for leadership in a totalitarian dynasty that has never relinquished power outside the Kim family.
