North Korea Highlights Kim Ju-ae and Kim Yo-jong but Faces Poor Women's Human Rights Conditions

Kim Ju-ae, who first appeared at the launch site of the intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) 'Hwasong-17' last November, is presumed to be the second child among North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un's three children. As Kim Ju-ae has consecutively appeared at major events, even securing a seat in the VIP section at the center of the presidium, analyses have begun to suggest that she might be the successor to Kim Jong-un. Not only Kim Ju-ae but also her mother Ri Sol-ju and aunt Kim Yo-jong have recently been spotlighted as key figures in North Korea.

However, in contrast to her, ordinary North Korean women who are not part of the so-called 'royal family' have been found to frequently suffer from violence and discrimination in homes, schools, the military, and detention facilities.

On the 31st of last month, the Ministry of Unification officially published the '2023 North Korea Human Rights Report,' based on testimonies from 508 defectors who fled North Korea between 2017 and 2022. The report fully reflects the human rights abuses and the harsh human rights conditions faced by North Korean residents.

In particular, numerous cases of various types of violence experienced by women in the patriarchal North Korean society were collected.

On the 9th, Chosun Central TV broadcast a recorded coverage of the 75th anniversary military parade commemorating the founding day of the Korean People's Army, which was held the previous night. The photo shows Kim Ju-ae seated in the VIP section at Kim Il-sung Square in Pyongyang, applauding during the parade.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

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North Korea legally stipulates the prohibition of discrimination against women. However, gender discrimination remains severe. Within families, there is a tendency to prefer or prioritize sons over daughters, and daughters are often denied educational opportunities unlike sons, reflecting the widespread male superiority ideology.

Socially, men are prioritized over women in university admissions, party membership promotions, and job placements. Even if women have excellent academic performance, they are excluded from selection as state-sponsored overseas students or from being assigned to special classes preparing for master's and doctoral studies, indicating discrimination in education. One case in the report stated, "If selected as a state-sponsored overseas student in North Korea, one could enter a Russian university without taking a separate exam. Only male students were selected. The reason given was that girls were weak to temptation and would defect quickly."

Many cases of sexual violence were also collected. Although North Korean criminal law stipulates punishments ranging from a minimum of nine years of labor reform to the death penalty for sexual violence against women, sexual violence frequently occurs in homes and schools.

The problem is that the social atmosphere tends to blame victims of sexual violence, causing them to hesitate to report incidents. Authorities often do not actively intervene and sometimes shift responsibility onto the victim's behavior. There were also cases where victims of sexual crimes by superiors or fellow soldiers in the military were dishonorably discharged.

North Korea celebrated the March 8 International Women's Day with "various congratulatory performances and sports and recreational games held at central and local levels," according to a report by the Korean Central News Agency on the 9th. [Image source=Yonhap News]

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On March 8, International Women's Day, the Rodong Sinmun, the Workers' Party's official newspaper, published an editorial that, despite being propaganda to emphasize the regime's superiority, was widely regarded as exposing the harsh reality of women's human rights in North Korea. While events to promote women's status and rights are held worldwide on Women's Day, the Rodong Sinmun editorial focused solely on women's caregiving labor and devotion within the family, drawing criticism for being archaic.

The criticized editorial appeared on the front page of Rodong Sinmun under the title "Let Us Endlessly Illuminate the Tradition of Loyalty and Patriotism of Korean Women." The editorial emphasized that "(women) must become flowers of loyalty that follow only the guidance of General Secretary (Kim Jong-un)."

The editorial continued, "As housewives, daughters-in-law, wives, and mothers, women must always be aware of their responsibilities, take good care of their parents-in-law, and actively encourage their husbands and children to excellently fulfill their duties to the state and society," and stressed, "They must contribute actively to the country's prosperity and strength by giving birth to many children and raising them well."

North Korea's Korean Central TV reported on the 8th that the clothing of people walking the streets of Pyongyang is becoming more diverse.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

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So, could Kim Jong-un's daughter, the royal family member Kim Ju-ae, become the protagonist of the fourth-generation succession?

Since Kim Ju-ae's appearance, domestic and international media have focused on a possible power struggle between Kim Ju-ae and her sister Kim Yo-jong. It is analyzed that Kim Yo-jong, once Kim Jong-un's closest aide and considered a potential successor, has recently begun to lose her position in the power hierarchy due to Kim Ju-ae's emergence. Additionally, photos from major events have captured Kim Yo-jong, who used to accompany Kim Jong-un, being pushed to the back row corners after Kim Ju-ae's appearance, leading to various interpretations.

However, many analyses suggest that it is difficult for a female leader to emerge in the patriarchal North Korean society. On the 9th, Minister of Unification Kwon Young-se said in an interview with Voice of America (VOA), "Kim Jong-un is still around forty years old, and considering the patriarchal society, it seems premature to judge Kim Ju-ae as a successor."

Assemblyman Tae Yong-ho also said on last month's CBS radio program 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show,' "The key point in the succession discussion is whether Kim Ju-ae, as a daughter, can inherit the succession. If Kim Ju-ae marries and has children in the future, naturally, from the mother's perspective, her own child would become the successor, which would completely change the succession line to a matrilineal one."

He added, "Although it is uncertain in the future, at this point, it is impossible for a woman to become a successor in North Korean society. Kim Jong-il had only daughters from his legal marriage, so he took a third wife to have a son, who is the current Kim Jong-un. He did everything to have a son, and I think Kim Jong-un will follow the same path."

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