North Korean leader Kim Jong Un was joined by his teenage daughter, Ju Ae, at a large-scale military parade in Pyongyang, according to footage released by state media on Thursday, adding fresh momentum to speculation about her future political role.
The parade marked the conclusion of the ruling Workers' Party of Korea’s Ninth Congress, one of the country’s most significant political gatherings. Observers closely monitor such events for signs of leadership planning or policy direction.
Images carried by KCNA showed Ju Ae standing beside her father and senior military officials as they watched the procession and aerial displays. Both Kim and his daughter were seen wearing black leather trench coats, a visual presentation that analysts say reinforces her growing prominence.
Although state media did not define her official status, South Korea’s National Intelligence Service has previously told lawmakers there were indications Ju Ae was beginning to participate in internal state matters — a signal that succession grooming may be underway.
Ju Ae has appeared with increasing frequency at high-profile events over the past three years, starting with her first public appearance during an intercontinental ballistic missile launch in 2022. Since then, she has been featured at military anniversaries, weapons tests, and national celebrations as North Korea’s propaganda apparatus steadily elevates her visibility.
Her age has never been confirmed by Pyongyang, though analysts estimate she was born in the early 2010s. Her existence became publicly known in 2013 when former NBA player Dennis Rodman said Kim had introduced her as his daughter during a visit to North Korea.
