North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un has referred to his daughter Kim Ju-ae as the “Morning Star General” since the launch of the hermit kingdom’s reconnaissance satellite last November. The young girl’s frequent public appearances recently have attracted international attention, prompting speculations that she may be the next in line as Kim Jong Un’s successor.
Kim Ju-ae, who is believed to be around 11 years old, was previously referred to by the North Korean state media as “dear child” or “respected child.” Her current title, “Morning Star,” was used figuratively in North Korea in the past to refer to a leader waiting. Kim Jong Un was also referred to as the “Morning Star General” before his ascension to power.
Rising Status
In November 2022, Kim Ju-ae suddenly appeared under the spotlight in North Korea’s political arena with her father, Kim Jong Un. Her first public appearance was at a missile test launch, which drew international attention. Since then, the father and daughter have attended missile test launches and other military and public celebration events together.Hong Min, director of the North Korean Research Division at South Korea’s government-funded Korea Institute for National Unification, pointed out that Kim Ju-ae’s appearances at events showcasing weapons or military might indicate that she has been used as propaganda to send a message that the country’s nuclear weapons and missiles can protect present and future generations.
Mysterious First Family of the Hermit Kingdom
Kim Jong Un has kept his family matters secretive, and little is known to the outside world. Even after his marriage to Ri Sol-ju in 2009, his wife remained hidden until she made her first public appearance in 2012.The identity of Kim Ju-ae was shrouded in mystery since the North Korean regime never disclosed her information in the past. The first person to mention Kim Ju-ae to the outside world was former American basketball star Dennis Rodman.
On Sept. 8, 2013, after ending a five-day trip to North Korea, Rodman claimed to have spent a wonderful time with Kim Jong Un and his family at the beach, holding their baby, Ju-ae, in his hands.
Impatience to Bring Daughter Onto Stage
South Korean Minister of Reunification Kim Yung-ho said on Dec. 6 last year that North Korea’s troubles are becoming increasingly apparent. Food shortages and communist oppression have led to an increasing number of defectors. This makes Kim Jong Un eager to bring his daughter to the forefront to demonstrate his intention for the fourth-generation hereditary power.Some analysts also believe Kim Jong Un’s health has raised concerns, so he is eager to introduce his daughter as the successor. At just 40 years old, Kim Jong Un is overweight, indulges in smoking and drinking, and has long been rumored to have various health problems.
In addition, as early as 2020, rumors circulated about Kim Jong Un’s “critical condition” after surgery, attracting international media attention. On April 15 of that year, Kim Jong Un did not appear at North Korea’s most important festival, the “Day of the Sun” commemorating the regime’s first dictator, Kim Il-sung, and mysteriously disappeared for more than 20 days.
Insiders told Radio Free Asia that the 36-year-old Kim Jong-un’s disappearance was due to being urgently rushed to a hospital in Pyongyang for a critical coronary condition.
Kim Ju-ae’s Potential Competitor
Another potential successor to Kim Jong Un is his younger sister, Kim Yo-jong. The North Korean propaganda media first mentioned her in March 2014. She currently serves as the Deputy Department Director of the Publicity and Information Department, in charge of state propaganda.Kim Yo-jong is the youngest in the third generation of the Kim family. She reportedly studied in Switzerland with Kim Jong Un and is said to have had a good relationship with her brother since childhood. After Kim Jong Un took power in 2011, Kim Yo-jong also began to participate in politics and became an important ally of Kim Jong Un.
Shortly after Kim Jong Un took office in 2011, he launched a crackdown. In 2013, he had his uncle Jang Song-thaek executed, and his half-brother Kim Jong-nam was assassinated in Malaysia in 2017. During this time, Kim Jong Un constantly promoted Kim Yo-jong.
Dr. Sung Yoon Lee, a specialist on North Korea and a fellow at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, said that Kim Jong Un and his sister Kim Yo-jong often behave in a threatening and intimidating manner.
He commented, “Kim Jong Un and Kim Yo-jong are still young, [but] they will not hesitate to kill, or execute people, including their family members, such as their half-brothers or uncles.”
Under the Kim siblings’ tyranny, North Korea’s control over speech became more stringent. Many places in Pyongyang are equipped with CCTV cameras, and police would arrest any dissidents in the country. Kim Yo-jong was also very hawkish towards South Korea, demanding that South Korea classify defectors from North Korea as criminals.
Some political analysts suggest that Kim Ju-ae’s sudden appearance is Kim Jong Un’s way of countering rumors about Kim Yo-jong’s succession. However, the power struggles behind the scenes in the hermit kingdom’s first family cannot be independently verified.
