For three generations, the Kim family has held power in North Korea, and until now, the children of the dynasty have kept out of the spotlight before taking charge. But Kim Jong-un’s daughter is increasingly appearing next to him, raising questions.
Last Tuesday, state media reported that Kim once again accompanied Kim Joo Ah to an official military dinner.
Joo Ah is considered the second child of Kim Jong-un. At the event, she was dressed in a black suit, sat next to her father and was photographed surrounded by senior officers.
Speaking at the dinner, Kim praised the military as they celebrated their 75th birthday. Seoul officials cited by the WSJ are now reporting that North Korea is preparing for a military parade.
Kim Joo Ah made her first public appearance last November during a test launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile. Since then, she regularly accompanied her father to meetings with military scientists and ballistic missile inspections.
At the dinner, the military bowed to Kim’s daughter, with state media calling her “the leader’s favorite daughter, commanding respect.” All of this has sparked new succession rumors in North Korea, with observers seeing it as increasingly likely that Kim Joo-ah will follow his father and become leader.
Opposite
Others, however, point out that this assumption is premature, and the appearance of a minor daughter in public may mean just the opposite: she is not considered a potential heiress. “It would also be unprecedented for a woman to come to power in a male-dominated dynasty,” comments the Wall Street Journal.
Kim, 39, came to power in December 2011 at the age of 27. Both his father and grandfather ruled until his death, and Kim does not appear to be considering appointing a successor just yet.
Source: Kathimerini
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