Kim Ju Ae, daughter of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, has traveled to China with her father to participate in the military parade taking place this Wednesday in Beijing’s Tiananmen Square to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II.
Although North Korean state media has not addressed the presence of Kim’s daughter, they have published images showing the youngest, sparking renewed rumors about the North Korean leader’s line of succession, often understood as a horizontal issue.
However, this international debut of Kim Ju Ae—who would be about 12 years old—could imply that the future of the Kim dynasty will ultimately fall into the hands of her mother, rather than under the leadership of her sister, Kim Yo Jong, whose name is generally the most talked about to continue her legacy.
In images released by North Korea’s state news agency KCNA, Kim’s daughter can be seen standing just behind him after his arrival in Beijing. There, she greeted senior Chinese government officials, including Foreign Minister Wang Yi.
Kim’s daughter’s presence has recently become prominent, having appeared by his side at several national events, such as ballistic missile launches and the opening of a hotel complex.
