Pyongyang: North Korean leader Kim Jong Un made a rare and symbolic New Year visit to the country’s state mausoleum along with his wife and daughter, a move that has drawn fresh attention to possible succession planning in the secretive state.
State media said Kim Jong Un visited the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun on January 1 to pay respects to the country’s founder Kim Il Sung and his son Kim Jong Il. Accompanying him was his daughter Kim Ju Ae, marking her first known appearance at the mausoleum.
The visit is seen as highly significant because the site is reserved for top leaders and senior officials on major national occasions. Analysts say the presence of Kim’s daughter at such a symbolic location signals her growing prominence in official imagery.
Kim Ju Ae has been appearing more frequently at public events over the past few years, including military related occasions and national celebrations. Her appearance at the mausoleum on New Year’s Day adds to speculation that she may be quietly introduced as a future leader, although no official position or title has been announced.
Experts caution that it is too early to draw firm conclusions. South Korean officials and regional analysts note that North Korea has not confirmed any succession plan and that Kim Ju Ae is still very young. They also point out that formal political roles usually come much later.
Still, observers say the timing and setting of the visit were carefully chosen. By placing his daughter beside him during one of the most important rituals in the North Korean calendar, Kim Jong Un appears to be projecting continuity and stability of leadership.
For now, the government has made no comment on her future role. But with more public appearances expected in the coming months, attention will remain focused on how prominently Kim Ju Ae features in state events.
The mausoleum visit came as part of broader New Year activities in Pyongyang, where Kim Jong Un called for unity and progress while highlighting achievements of the past year.