Kim Jong Un's Daughter Visits Family Mausoleum, Signaling Rising Influence in North Korea's Leadership

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The teenage daughter of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un made her first known visit to a sacred family mausoleum, a step that experts say bolstered her status as her father’s potential heir.

The visit, which occurred on New Year’s Day, even sparked speculation that the girl, reportedly named Kim Ju Ae and aged about 13, could be named a high-level official at the upcoming ruling Workers’ Party congress.

In a series of images released by North Korea’s state media on Friday, Kim Ju Ae was prominently featured alongside her parents, participating in a solemn ceremony at the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun in Pyongyang. This location, home to the embalmed remains of her grandfather and great-grandfather, holds deep symbolic significance for the North Korean regime.

In this photo provided by the North Korean government, leader Kim Jong Un, center right, his wife Ri Sol Ju, third left, and their daughter, center, believed to be named Kim Ju Ae, visit Kumsusan Palace of the Sun in Pyongyang, North Korea, Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026. — Images carried by North Korea’s state media on Friday showed Kim Ju Ae standing in the front row with her parents. (AP)

The visit to this revered site, especially before the upcoming Workers’ Party congress, is seen as a deliberate political maneuver. Cheong Seong-Chang, a deputy head at South Korea’s Sejong Institute, emphasized the palace’s role in underscoring the legitimacy of the ruling family.

Kim Jong Un, now 41, continues the dynastic leadership initiated in 1948 by his grandfather Kim Il Sung. The tradition of commemorating significant state anniversaries at the Kumsusan Palace remains a hallmark of his leadership, as he pays homage to his father, Kim Jong Il, and his grandfather.

Cheong further suggested that at the forthcoming congress, Kim Jong Un might appoint his daughter to a prominent position within the Workers’ Party, potentially elevating her to the role of first secretary, the second-highest post in the party.

Cheong predicted that Kim Jong Un could give his daughter the first secretary post at the Workers’ Party, the party’s No. 2 job, at the congress.

Other experts say she is too young to accept such a high-profile post and might be provided with lower-level jobs.

The daughter of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, reportedly named Kim Ju Ae, attends a military parade to mark the 75th founding anniversary of the Korean People's Army on Kim Il Sung Square in Pyongyang, North Korea on Feb. 8, 2023. — In January 2024, the NIS said it viewed Kim Ju Ae as her father’s likely heir. (KCNA/Korea News Service via AP)

The congress, the first of its kind in five years, is meant to establish new priorities in state policies and reshuffle officials.

North Korea hasn’t said when it will hold it, but the National Intelligence Service, South Korea’s spy agency, said it likely will be held either in January or February.

Since first appearing in state media in November 2022, Kim Ju Ae has accompanied her father at a slew of events, including military parades and missile launches.

In September, Kim Jong Un brought her on his trip to Beijing. During New Year’s Day celebrations this week, she kissed her father on the cheek, showing their closeness.

Kim Jong Un is the third generation of his family to rule North Korea since the country’s foundation in 1948. (AP)

In January 2024, the NIS said it viewed Kim Ju Ae as her father’s likely heir.

Some outside experts disagree with that assessment, citing Kim Jong Un’s relatively young age and the extremely male-dominated nature of North Korea’s power hierarchy.

The NIS told lawmakers in November that Kim appeared to have no major health problems.

Revealing the young Kim Ju Ae was a surprise to foreign experts because neither Kim Jong Un nor Kim Jong Il were mentioned in North Korean state media before they became adults.

Some observers say Kim Jong Un likely aimed to shore up public support for his plan to extend the family’s rule by repeatedly disclosing Kim Ju Ae in public events.