SEOUL, Feb 12: South Korea’s intelligence agency believes North Korean leader Kim Jong Un may be moving closer to formally naming his daughter as his heir, lawmakers said Thursday after a confidential parliamentary briefing.
Members of the National Assembly’s intelligence committee said the National Intelligence Service (NIS) now assesses that Kim Ju Ae has progressed beyond being a potential successor and may be entering a stage where her succession is being actively prepared,according to South Korea’s official Yonhap News Agency.
Her repeated appearances at high-profile national events, including military commemorations and a recent visit to the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun, the mausoleum dedicated to North Korea’s former leader,s were cited as notable developments.
The NIS said it plans to closely observe whether Ju Ae attends an upcoming key meeting of the ruling Workers’ Party and whether she is granted any formal position or title, moves that could further clarify her political standing.
In early 2024, the agency described Ju Ae, who is believed to have been born in 2013, as the most probable successor to Kim. At that time, officials suggested she appeared to be in training for a future leadership role. The latest briefing indicates the agency now sees signs that the process may be advancing.
The NIS said Pyongyang could consider engaging in dialogue with the United States under certain circumstances. North Korea has voiced objections to joint US-South Korea military activities and the deployment of American strategic assets in the region. (UNI)
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