Kwon Young-se "Kim Joo-ae, Baekdu Bloodline Unity Measures... Cautious About Successor Speculation"

Questions from the National Assembly Foreign Affairs Committee: "Many Doubts About the Successor Theory"
"No Confirmation on the Existence of Kim Jong-un's Son"

[Asia Economy Reporter Jang Hee-jun] Unification Minister Kwon Young-se said that North Korea's recent emphasis on Kim Ju-ae, daughter of Chairman Kim Jong-un, is "thought to be a measure to prepare in advance for the 3rd to 4th generation succession and to strengthen the regime cohesion centered on Kim Jong-un and the 'Baekdu bloodline.'"

Minister Kwon made this remark on the 15th during the plenary session of the National Assembly's Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee in response to a related inquiry by Jeong Jin-seok, a member of the People Power Party, stating, "At this time, no specific part is being singled out."

Kim Jong-un's daughter Kim Ju-ae attending the '75th Army Foundation Day' military parade
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Regarding the 'Kim Ju-ae successor theory,' he maintained a cautious stance, saying, "Considering Kim Jong-un's age and the patriarchal nature of the North Korean regime, there are many doubts about whether it is appropriate for a woman to succeed immediately." He added, "Of course, we are looking at various possibilities," and further explained, "Even seeing soldiers shouting 'Resolute Defense of the Baekdu Bloodline' during the parade, I think these measures are not about a specific individual but rather to strengthen loyalty to Kim Jong-un and his family."

However, in response to an additional question from Ha Tae-kyung, a People Power Party member, about the Kim Ju-ae successor theory, he replied, "Considering various situations, I do think there is a will for a 4th generation succession," and "I believe they are trying to make the succession part more certain."

North Korea has been actively promoting 'Kim Ju-ae' since last November, when she appeared at the site of an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) test launch, followed by a sensational presentation at the military parade on the 8th. The day before, they unveiled a stamp design featuring Kim Ju-ae's photo, and in the recorded broadcast of the parade, a 'white horse' seemingly ridden by Kim Ju-ae also appeared.

Regarding this, foreign media such as the Washington Post (WP) in the United States have speculated that Kim Jong-un's daughter is likely to become his successor. When Representative Jeong Jin-seok presented this prospect, Minister Kwon responded, "Looking at the media and scholars as a whole, many are inclined to see Kim Ju-ae as the successor, but there are also quite a few who believe we should view this more cautiously."

'North Korea Focuses on Promoting Kim Ju-ae... What About Other Children?'

Kim Jong-un's childhood revealed by Chinese media in the past [Image source=Yonhap News]

During the plenary session that day, there was also mention of Kim Jong-un's 'other children.' Minister Kwon drew a line, saying, "So far, there have been reports of a son above Kim Ju-ae and other children below, but their gender is uncertain; however, nothing has been confirmed except for the daughter called Kim Ju-ae."

Regarding the 'existence of a son,' he said, "It seems correct to say that it cannot be confirmed definitively," and explained that Tae Yong-ho, a People Power Party member who is well acquainted with the North Korean regime, has long maintained the position that "Kim Jong-un does not have a son."

In response to Ha Tae-kyung's remark that "there are media reports that Kim Jong-un's eldest son is Kim Ju-eun, born in 2010," Minister Kwon replied, "We need to verify more about the eldest son," and "We need to look more closely to see if there is anything different from what we already know." He reiterated the position that "Regarding the successor issue, rather than concluding by leaning toward one side, it is necessary to observe various possibilities and continue monitoring."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.