The leader of North Korea, Kim Jong-un, has reportedly named his teenage daughter, Kim Ju-ae, as his successor based on intelligence from South Korea's National Intelligence Service (NIS). Ju-ae, who is estimated to be around 13 years old, is the only child whose existence has been confirmed by the North Korean leadership, and she is expected to take the reins of the country following her father's death.

The intelligence claims are substantiated by the increasing number of public appearances that Ju-ae has made alongside her father in recent months. This includes significant meetings with key North Korean allies, such as Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping, suggesting that she is being groomed for a prominent role in the regime's future. Observers are particularly interested in whether she will participate in the upcoming party congress scheduled at the end of this month.

Concerns over Kim Jong-un's health have been raised, which may add urgency to the discussions of succession within the North Korean regime. Members of South Korea's National Assembly, like Lee Seong-kweun, have indicated the need to closely monitor these developments as the situation evolves, hinting that a transition in leadership could occur in the near future depending on various factors, including the leader's health status and political maneuvering within the regime.