Kim Jong Un’s daughter, Kim Ju Ae, made her first public appearance at North Korea’s revered Kumsusan Palace of the Sun, accompanying her parents to pay tribute to the country’s founding leaders. The New Year’s Day visit has sparked discussion about her emerging role within the secretive regime. Images released by state media captured the young girl prominently positioned between Kim Jong Un and his wife Ri Sol Ju, drawing fresh attention to the Kim family’s future succession plans.

The visit, which took place on January 1, 2026, was at the mausoleum in Pyongyang housing the embalmed bodies of Kim Il Sung, Ju Ae’s great-grandfather, and Kim Jong Il, her grandfather. Kim Jong Un, Ri Sol Ju, and top officials performed deep bows in the main hall, with Ju Ae standing visibly in the center. The mausoleum is more than a memorial—it symbolizes the regime’s legitimacy and is traditionally visited on significant dates to reinforce the dynastic authority that has ruled for three generations.

Experts note that Ju Ae, thought to be about 13 and first seen publicly in 2022, has increasingly appeared at key state events, including missile launches, military parades, and even a visit to Beijing last year. Analysts, such as Cheong Seong-Chang from South Korea’s Sejong Institute, interpret her prominent position at the mausoleum as a carefully timed signal, likely linked to the upcoming Workers’ Party congress, suggesting she may soon assume an official title. Her visibility echoes how her father was publicly presented as a child, challenging the male-centric traditions of the regime, and drawing parallels with historical dynasties that elevated young female heirs in times of political need.

While North Korean reports continue to omit her exact age and name, her appearances suggest deliberate grooming for leadership. South Korea’s unification ministry is closely monitoring these developments, noting this is the first such public family outing documented at the mausoleum under Kim Jong Un. Drawing on historical examples like China’s Empress Wu or female regents in Russia, Ju Ae could potentially defy traditional norms, especially given the absence of a clear male successor and ongoing tensions with the United States and other nations. This carefully orchestrated display underscores the Kim family’s continued consolidation of power, blending family reverence with political theater.