Japanese Media: "Kim Ju-ae is being presented as a potential successor"

Asahi Shimbun: "Only Kim Yo Jong, the deputy department director, can hold the position of First Secretary"

Tokyo, Sept. 12 (Asahi Shimbun) -- The Asahi Shimbun reported on the 12th that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's recent trip to China with his daughter, Ju-ae, appears to be a step towards "familiarizing the public with her as a potential successor."

Kim Jong Un visits North Korean Embassy in China with daughter Ju-ae (Seoul=Yonhap News) North Korea's Korean Central Television broadcast a documentary on Sept. 6 detailing leader Kim Jong Un's visit to China from Feb. 2-4. Ambassador Ri Ryong Nam is seen bowing 90 degrees to Kim Jong Un during his visit to the North Korean Embassy in China. [Korean Central Television Screen] 2025.9.6

[For Use Only in the Republic of Korea. No Redistribution] nkphoto@yna.co.kr

The newspaper stated, "North Korea's supreme leaders have historically introduced their successors to the Chinese leadership," and continued, "This has been the practice."

It further noted that "North Korea has highlighted the leader and successor dynamic through video and photographs during past power succession processes." The newspaper pointed out that in the documentary of Kim Jong Un's China visit, aired by Korean Central Television on Sept. 6, Ju-ae was shown receiving greetings from officials alongside Kim Jong Un at their lodging in the North Korean Embassy.

The Asahi Shimbun explained, "South Korea's National Intelligence Service believes that Ju-ae was born around 2013, and there is a second child born around 2017," adding, "In the past, there was a theory of a first son born around 2010, but nothing has been confirmed, and recently this theory is considered to have little basis."

Furthermore, the newspaper, citing a source from the Japanese government, speculated that the position of First Secretary, newly established within the Workers' Party in 2021, might be intended to prepare for a regency role to assist Ju-ae in case Kim Jong Un becomes incapacitated before she officially takes office. The newspaper concluded, "Only Kim Yo Jong, the deputy department director of the Workers' Party, can hold the position of First Secretary."

It then referenced a report from the Korean Central News Agency stating that Deputy Director Kim conveyed Kim Jong Un's foreign policy vision during a consultation with key directors of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the 20th of last month. Citing a former high-ranking Japanese official, the newspaper stated, "This signifies that Kim Yo Jong has risen to a position overseeing foreign policy."