Explainer: Who Is North Korea’s Next Leader? | Kim Jong Un’s Daughter In The Spotlight

Kim Ju Ae, the daughter of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, made her first overseas public appearance during a Chinese military parade in Beijing, raising questions about the future of the country’s leadership. Believed to be 12 or 13 years old, Ju Ae has been increasingly visible at high-profile state and military events, hinting at her potential role as a successor. North Korea’s state media has given her honorifics typically reserved for future leaders, while experts note her training in diplomacy and protocol. Power in North Korea has always passed quietly, from father to son. Kim Il Sung to Kim Jong Il. Kim Jong Il to Kim Jong Un. Each time, the successor was hidden until the last moment. But this time, Ju Ae is already in the open, far earlier than usual.