Seoul, South Korea – South Korea’s intelligence agency believes North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is actively preparing to name his daughter, Kim Ju Ae, as his successor, a significant development in the isolated nation’s dynastic leadership structure. The assessment, shared with South Korean lawmakers on Thursday, February 12, 2026, marks an escalation from previous evaluations that identified her as a potential heir.
According to reports from South Korea’s National Intelligence Service, Kim Ju Ae’s increasingly prominent role in public appearances suggests a deliberate effort to position her for leadership. Lawmaker Lee Seong-gwon told reporters that her presence at events like the recent Armed Forces Day ceremony and a visit to the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun – the final resting place of Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il – are indicative of this shift. “We believe that she has now entered the succession selection stage,” Lee said, as reported by Yonhap News Agency.
The Kumsusan Palace of the Sun holds immense symbolic importance in North Korea, reinforcing the weight of Kim Ju Ae’s visits. Intelligence suggests she is similarly beginning to contribute to policy discussions, further signaling her preparation for a future leadership role. This development underscores the continuation of the Kim family’s rule in North Korea, a lineage that has spanned three generations.
Kim Ju Ae, the only known child of Kim Jong Un and his wife Ri Sol Ju, has been increasingly visible alongside her father at high-profile events, including a trip to Beijing in September – her first known international visit. The National Intelligence Service also indicated it is monitoring whether she will attend the North’s party congress later this month, a major political event held every five years, where further details regarding the country’s future direction are expected to be unveiled.
While Kim Jong Un is believed to have an older son, he has never been publicly acknowledged. The announcement could influence future diplomatic talks and regional security dynamics as the international community assesses the implications of a potential female leader in North Korea.
