Kim Jong-un has tasked his 13-year-old daughter with running North Korea’s missile program
After being re-elected as leader of the Workers’ Party of Korea, Kim Jong-un entrusted his 13-year-old daughter Kim Ju-ae with the duties of director general of the country’s missile program. This was reported by the publication The Chosun Daily , citing the intelligence of the Republic of Korea.
Although officially the general director of the missile program is Jang Jang-ha, Kim’s daughter receives reports from generals and issues directives, effectively performing the functions of a full-fledged curator. South Korean intelligence believes that this is one of the steps in preparing her as a potential successor to the leader.
Kim Jong-un has repeatedly taken his daughter with him to nuclear weapons and missile test sites. Kim Joo-ae is likely the only officially known child of Kim Jong-un. She was first mentioned by American basketball player Dennis Rodman in 2013, and North Korean media confirmed her participation in the launch of the Hwasong-17 missile in November 2022.
Little is known about Kim Jong-un’s family circumstances; He is believed to have two other sons, including Kim Joo-ye’s older brother, Kim Jong-ju, born in 2010.
South Korea’s National Intelligence Service (NIS) will monitor Kim Joo-ye’s participation in future Workers’ Party events and whether she will receive any official title that would confirm her role as a potential successor.
