Kim Jong-un, the North Korean leader, his wife, Ri Sol-ju, and their daughter, Kim Ju-ae, visited the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun on January 1 to mark the new year, further fueling speculation that Kim Ju-ae is being prepared as his successor. The visit marks Ju-ae's first public appearance at the mausoleum, where the bodies of Kim Il-sung, the state founder and Kim Jong-un's grandfather, and Kim Jong-il, his father, are enshrined.
Photos released by the state news agency KCNA showed Kim Jong-un, accompanied by his wife and senior officials, with Ju-ae positioned prominently between her parents in the main hall of the palace. Kim Jong-un routinely visits Kumsusan to pay respects to his grandfather and father on key dates, making Ju-ae's presence particularly noteworthy.
Kim Ju-ae has made increasingly prominent appearances in state media over the past three years, leading to widespread speculation that she is being groomed to take over the leadership of North Korea. This visit to the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun, a site of immense symbolic importance in North Korea, adds weight to that theory. The Kumsusan Palace of the Sun serves as a memorial to the Kim dynasty and a focal point for displays of loyalty and reverence.
The timing of the visit is also significant, occurring ahead of an event that could potentially formalize her succession, according to some analysts. While North Korea has not officially commented on succession plans, the repeated exposure of Kim Ju-ae in state media suggests a deliberate effort to introduce her to the public and solidify her image as a potential future leader.
The implications of a female leader in North Korea would be significant, potentially altering the country's domestic and foreign policies. However, the deeply patriarchal nature of North Korean society could present challenges to her acceptance. The coming months will likely provide further indications of Kim Jong-un's intentions regarding the future leadership of the country.
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