Sigma Live

North Korea: Kim Jong Un Reportedly Chooses Daughter as Successor

Published February 12, 2026, 12:16
North Korea: Kim Jong Un Reportedly Chooses Daughter as Successor

South Korea's intelligence service has announced that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has chosen his daughter, Kim Ju Ae, as his successor. Kim Ju Ae has appeared increasingly frequently in public events in recent months, including a visit to Beijing in September, signaling her growing presence on the political scene. The National Intelligence Service (NIS) reached this conclusion considering Kim Ju Ae's increasing public appearance at official events and indications that she is expressing her views on certain state policies. Lawmaker Lee Seong-kwen stated that Kim Ju Ae is now at the stage of being “designated as successor.” The NIS will closely monitor whether Kim Ju Ae will attend the North Korean party congress later this month, the country's largest political event every five years. The congress is expected to provide more details about Pyongyang's priorities for the next five years. The choice of a daughter as successor is unusual for North Korea's patriarchal society, however, Kim Jong Un's sister, Kim Yo Jong, has already proven that women can play a significant role in the country's politics. Kim Ju Ae's increasing presence and assumption of a role in policy-making suggest that she is being treated as the de facto second leader of the country.