Kim Jong Un's arrival in China for his first-ever multilateral meeting was always going to make headlines.
But it was the smartly-dressed girl standing just behind him as he exited his armoured train that caught observers’ attention: Kim Ju Ae, the North Korean leader's daughter.
According to South Korea's spy agency, Kim Ju Ae is her father's most likely successor.
While details about her age and early life remain scarce, speculation around her future role in North Korea's leadership continues to grow.
She has, for years, been reported as the second child of Kim Jong Un and his wife, Ri Sol-Ju. Kim Ju Ae's existence first came to light through an unusual source - American basketball player Dennis Rodman, who mentioned holding their baby during a visit in 2013.
Her first public appearance occurred in November 2022 at an intercontinental ballistic missile launch. Since then, she has been seen accompanying her father at several high-profile events and even appeared on postage stamps, being described as Kim Jong Un's respected daughter.
Recent reports from South Korea's National Intelligence Service suggested she enjoys horse riding, skiing, and swimming, and is currently home-schooled in Pyongyang. They estimated her age to be around ten years old.
Kim Ju Ae has been frequently seen at military parades and missile launches, solidifying her position as a prominent figure within the North Korean regime. Her recent trip to China marked her first appearance outside of North Korea, prompting further speculation about her potential to succeed her father.
As the Kim dynasty has ruled North Korea since its inception in 1948, introducing a daughter into the public eye may provide a fresh approach to combat traditional gender biases. This step signifies her importance within the regime, though challenges remain in a country that has never been led by a woman.
