Global NK Zoom & Connect publishes a commentary series comparing different expert opinions on the prospect of 4th generation hereditary succession of the North Korean regime.
It has been reported that Kim Ju Ae, who had been speculated to be the heir by North Korea watchers apparent following her appearance at the military banquet marking the 75th founding anniversary of the Korean People’s Army, was not present at the latest celebration of the 70th anniversary of the Korean armistice. Cheong Seong-Chang, a Director of Reunification Strategy Studies at the Sejong Institute, claims that the DPRK media’s active promotion of Kim Ju Ae since 2022 indicates that she has been nominated as the successor to Kim Jong Un. Considering that Kim Jong Un himself was reportedly announced as the successor when he was eight years old, Cheong argues that Kim Jong Un is exposing Kim Ju Ae at an early age to establish a support base and prepare stable power transfer, should Kim Jong Un unexpectedly perish.
The second article of the series will be released in the last week of August.
