North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s daughter, Ju Ae, who is widely considered a likely candidate for succession, joined her parents for her first public visit to the Kumsusan mausoleum to pay respects to the nation’s former leaders, according to state media photos released on Friday.

Why it matters

Ju Ae has appeared with increasing frequency in state media over the last three years, a trend that has fueled speculation among analysts and South Korea’s intelligence agency that she is being groomed as the country’s fourth-generation leader. Her presence at such a significant symbolic site reinforces narratives about the continuity of the Kim family dynasty.

What to know

Kim was accompanied by his wife, Ri Sol Ju, and various senior officials during the January 1 visit. Photographs released by the state news agency showed Ju Ae standing between her parents in the main hall of the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun.

Kim Ju Ae, believed to have been born in the early 2010s, also attended this year’s New Year celebrations, state media reported on Thursday. Additionally, in September, she traveled to Beijing with her father, marking her first public overseas outing. While North Korea has never confirmed Ju Ae’s exact age, her public profile has grown significantly.

What people are saying

Observers note that Kim visits Kumsusan to honor his grandfather and state founder, Kim Il Sung, and his father, Kim Jong Il, on key dates and anniversaries. These visits are widely interpreted as gestures affirming the dynastic heritage of the nuclear-armed country. By including his daughter in these solemn rites, the regime appears to be signaling her elevated status within the family hierarchy.

What happens next

Analysts will likely continue monitoring state media for further appearances by Ju Ae, looking for changes in protocol or how she is addressed in official reports. These details will be crucial in determining whether her role is ceremonial or if she is being formally instated into the political apparatus of the regime.