Speculation About Kim Ju Ae’s Succession in North Korea Is Premature and Unsubstantiated

Recently, Kim Jong Un’s daughter, Kim Ju Ae, has received a lot of international media attention, and on January 4, 2024, South Korea’s National Intelligence Service (NIS) determined that she is Kim Jong Un’s “most likely successor.”  

Speculation about the third succession within North Korea’s ruling family – fueled by hype and arbitrary interpretations – has been treated as if it were an established fact by both South Korean and international media.

However, North Koreans interviewed for this article are skeptical.

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