Unification minister says it's 'too early' to determine whether NK leader's daughter is successor

• Published date: 27 February 2023
• Publication title: The Korea Times

Seoul's point man on North Korea said Monday it is "too early" to determine whether North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's recently revealed daughter, Ju-ae, is the country's heir apparent despite her recent high-profile public appearances.

Ju-ae, believed to be around 10 years old, has appeared in public on seven occasions since the North disclosed her for the first time in November, fueling speculation she may be groomed as Kim's successor.

"Even if North Korea begins its succession plan now, the question remains over whether she will be able to lead the North Korean regime that is centered on the military," Unification Minister Kwon Young-se said in an interview with local radio station CBS, noting that the North's society is "much more patriarchal" than that of the South.

Kim has "clearly shown" his intent to hand down his power to the family's fourth hereditary successor though it is a "bit too early" to consider Ju-ae as the...