Commentary: North Korea faces a troubled succession as Kim grooms daughter to be his likely heir

FROM BELOVED CHILD TO MORNING STAR GENERAL

Little is known about Kim’s son, not even his name. His whereabouts are similarly unknown. He would only be 14 now, so he is probably not a political threat, at least not yet.

Perhaps he is disinterested in politics. This has happened with other children of the Kim family. If he does not want to enter the family business, he is wise to keep a low profile. It is not uncommon for individuals in Kim family struggles to meet unhappy ends.

Ju Ae, on the other hand, has been increasingly visible in public. Kim has taken to bringing her to public events and showing her various elements of North Korean state power, including missiles and parades. This is the normal route to ascension.

The North Korean media has also taken to giving her various honorifics – “respected child”, “beloved child” and “a great person of guidance”. In December last year, media reports claimed that Kim had referred to his daughter as “Morning Star General”, a term previously used to describe Kim Il Sung.

The November 2022 photo of her holding hands with her father at the Hwasong-17 missile launch has also been turned into a postage stamp.

If Ju Ae is the choice, Kim is wise to start promoting her now. She will need years of grooming to take over. Kim will need to work hard to convince the old boys’ network which actually administers North Korea – below the political level of the Kim family – to accept her. It is not easy to see the old guard generals of the army, for example, accepting a young woman in her 20s or 30s.