Kim Ju-ae Receiving Treatment Comparable to Kim Jong-un... North Korean Residents Say "Hope She Stops Appearing"

Negative public opinion among North Korean residents toward Kim Ju-ae, daughter of North Korean State Affairs Commission Chairman Kim Jong-un, appears to be increasing.

Recently, citing sources from Radio Free Asia (RFA) and others, it was reported that North Korean residents are showing resistance toward Kim Ju-ae, who has been receiving top-tier treatment and continuously appearing at important events.

North Korea held a military parade at Kim Il-sung Square in Pyongyang last February to mark the 75th anniversary of the founding of the Korean People's Army, according to the Korean Central News Agency. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

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This contrasts with the reaction of North Korean residents when Kim Ju-ae first appeared in November last year. A resident of Hyesan City, Yanggang Province, said, "When Kim Jong-un first appeared with his daughter in November last year, many people showed surprise at the public reveal of his young daughter along with positive interest," adding, "But now, the residents hope that Kim Jong-un's daughter no longer appears on television," according to RFA.

The source stated, "The simple appearance of an elementary or lower middle school student is completely gone, replaced by a glamorous aristocratic outfit that ordinary female students cannot wear. She appears on the main event podium receiving higher treatment than the elderly white-haired officials," and added, "My daughter, who attends lower middle school, becomes very upset when Kim Jong-un's daughter appears on television, saying things like 'Is that child really a student?' and 'I wish she would stop appearing on TV.'"

A source from North Hamgyong Province pointed out that the resentment among North Korean residents toward Kim Ju-ae, who is receiving treatment comparable to Kim Jong-un, is growing. The source explained, "Residents' reactions to Kim Jong-un's daughter frequently appearing on television and in newspapers are not very positive," and "Residents feel uncomfortable seeing Kim Jong-un's daughter dressed in a way that surpasses adults, standing next to Kim Jong-un, stepping on flower carpets, and passing in front of cheering crowds while receiving special treatment."

Furthermore, "Although residents do not openly say it, there is a perception that Kim Jong-un should not bring his young daughter to important events," and "As a parent myself, I also do not view favorably the image of a student daughter who does not study but only follows her father," the source said.

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