Kim Ju Ae: North Korea's Next Leader? South Korea's Spy Agency Says Succession 'Significant'

• South Korea's National Intelligence Service (NIS) indicates Kim Jong Un is preparing his teenage daughter, Kim Ju Ae, as his successor.
• NIS now uses the term 'successor-designate stage' for Kim Ju Ae, a significant shift from 'successor training'.
• Kim Ju Ae, believed to be around 13, first appeared publicly in November 2022 and has since accompanied her father to various high-profile events.
• Her growing visibility, including a visit to the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun, is seen as a strong indicator of succession planning.
• The upcoming Workers’ Party Congress may subtly formalize her role, challenging North Korea's male-dominated leadership tradition.