North Korea’s ‘most beloved daughter’

This episode of *Today in Focus* explores the rising public profile of Kim Jue, the teenage daughter of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, who has recently appeared alongside her father at high-profile military events, sparking global speculation about her potential role as the next supreme leader. Host Helen Pidd interviews Jean Lee, former Pyongyang bureau chief for the Associated Press and current presidential chair at the East West Centre in Hawaii, who provides rare on-the-ground insight into North Korea’s secretive leadership dynamics. Lee explains that while Kim Jue’s exact age and name remain unknown—though she is believed to be around 13—her frequent appearances, including at missile launches and state parades, signal a deliberate effort by Kim Jong-un to cultivate a familial image reminiscent of his grandfather, Kim Il-sung. This strategy may serve to normalize the Kim family, prepare the public for a female successor, and secure the regime’s future amid concerns over Kim Jong-un’s health and the country’s isolation. Despite North Korea’s nuclear advancements, the episode underscores the immense challenges Jue would inherit: a deeply impoverished, isolated nation with chronic malnutrition, a rigid patriarchal structure, and a legacy of political violence. Lee also discusses the potential for diplomatic shifts, including ties with Russia and Iran, and the possibility of future engagement with China and the U.S., all while emphasizing that lineage and mythos—rather than gender—will likely determine succession. Key takeaways include: Kim Jue’s public appearances are part of a calculated effort to legitimize her as a future leader; North Korea’s nuclear capabilities are advanced, but its economy remains devastated; the regime uses family imagery to humanize its rule and prepare the public for change; and despite gender norms, the Kim family’s royal lineage may override gender in succession. The episode concludes with a reflection on the stark contrast between North and South Korea, and the tragic human cost of decades of isolation and repression.