South Korea's National Intelligence Service (NIS) believes North Korean leader Kim Jong Un may have a secret son, according to a statement released on Thursday. However, the agency emphasized that even if a son exists, he is not in a position to become the successor to Kim.
The NIS reaffirmed its earlier assessment that Kim's daughter, reportedly named Kim Ju Ae and estimated to be around 13 years old, is the most likely candidate to succeed her father. The agency is still working to verify whether Kim's daughter has an elder brother, but stated that under current circumstances, he could not be his father's heir.
Additionally, the NIS stated that Kim Jong Un has a younger child whose gender has not yet been confirmed.
The agency's statement on Thursday did not provide further details regarding Kim Ju Ae's political standing. Previously, the NIS cited a comprehensive analysis of her public appearances and the state protocols afforded to her as indicators of her prominent position. This recent statement may also be a response to earlier media reports suggesting South Korean intelligence authorities had determined Kim had no son with his wife, Ri Sol Ju.
Since late 2022, Kim Ju Ae has frequently accompanied her father to significant public events, including missile launches and military parades. North Korean state media has described her as her father's "most beloved" or "respected" child, releasing footage and photographs that highlight their closeness and her increasing public profile.
Information regarding Kim Ju Ae's name originated from an account by former NBA player Dennis Rodman, who stated he held Kim Jong Un's infant daughter during a 2013 visit to Pyongyang. In 2023, a South Korean lawmaker indicated that the NIS had informed a legislative committee of Kim Ju Ae having an older brother, though the agency reportedly later clarified that it was still verifying reports of a son.
The potential existence of an older brother is a significant point in discussions about North Korea's succession plans, given the country's patriarchal and male-dominated power structure. Historically, all three of North Korea's leaders—Kim Il Sung, Kim Jong Il, and Kim Jong Un—have been male members of the Kim family, a lineage dating back to the country's establishment in 1948.
Some analysts have expressed skepticism about the willingness of elderly North Korean officials to accept leadership from a female figure. Others suggest that Kim Ju Ae's ascent could potentially lead to the end of her family's dynastic rule if she were to marry outside the family and transfer power to her own children. Conversely, some experts believe that Kim Jong Un, who is 42, may be too young to formally designate an heir, a move that could potentially diminish his current absolute authority.
