Kim Jongun's Daughter Kim Juae Missing for Over a Month, Absent from North Korea's 80th Anniversary Parade

Attended Two Military Parades in 2023

At the large-scale military parade held to mark the 80th anniversary of the founding of the Workers' Party of Korea, attention is focused on the absence of Kim Juae, the daughter of North Korean leader Kim Jongun, even as the second-ranking officials from China and Russia stood beside him.

According to reports and released photographs from the Korean Central News Agency and Rodong Sinmun on the 11th, Kim Jongun stood on the podium alongside high-ranking officials from China, Russia, and Vietnam at the parade held the previous night in Kim Il Sung Square, Pyongyang, North Korea.

At the civil defense military parade marking the 75th anniversary of the establishment of the North Korean regime in September 2023, Park Jeongcheon, a key military leader in North Korea, is seen whispering to Kim Jongun's daughter Juae. Photo by Korean Central TV and Yonhap News Agency

To Kim Jongun's right stood Li Qiang, China's Premier and second in the country's power hierarchy. On his left was To Lam, General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam, and next to him was Dmitry Medvedev, Deputy Chairman of Russia's Security Council and Chairman of the United Russia Party, who is known as one of Vladimir Putin's closest associates.

As of the 11th, Kim Juae has not been mentioned in North Korean media, nor has she appeared in any of the published photographs.

Last month, Kim Juae accompanied her father, Kim Jongun, on his trip to China, which was seen as strengthening her position as his successor. There was speculation that she would attend this parade to further solidify her status as heir apparent.

However, since being seen in North Korean media on October 5 last month, when she returned to Pyongyang from Beijing with her father, Kim Jongun, she has not appeared in any official events for over a month.

Kim Jong Un, Chairman of the State Affairs Commission, met with Dmitry Medvedev, Chairman of the United Russia Party, who is visiting North Korea to mark the 80th anniversary of the founding of the Workers' Party, according to Korean Central News Agency on the 11th. 2025.10.11 Yonhap News

Previously, Kim Juae attended North Korean military parades on two occasions. She was present on the podium at the 75th anniversary parade of the founding of the military in February 2023, as well as the 75th anniversary parade marking the regime's establishment (September 9th) that same year. At that time, a scene was released showing Park Jeongcheon, Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission and the highest-ranking officer in the North Korean military, kneeling and whispering to Kim Juae.

Some analysts suggest that, given Kim Juae's young age and lack of an official party title, there may have been limitations to her standing alongside foreign dignitaries. This year's parade was attended by guests from a total of 11 countries, including China, Russia, Vietnam, Laos, Nicaragua, Mexico, Equatorial Guinea, Brazil, Iran, Venezuela, and Indonesia.