South Korea's National Intelligence Service (NIS) assessed on February 12 that North Korea has entered the stage of designating leader Kim Jong-un's daughter Ju-ae as successor, lawmakers reported. This evaluation stems from Ju-ae's appearances at various official events and signs of her voicing opinions on state policies. The NIS plans to monitor her attendance at the North's key party congress later this month.
South Korea's National Intelligence Service (NIS) briefed the parliamentary intelligence committee on February 12 in a closed-door session, stating that North Korea has entered the stage of designating leader Kim Jong-un's daughter Ju-ae as successor. Lawmakers Park Sun-won and Lee Seong-kweun relayed the assessment to reporters.
Rep. Lee Seong-kweun said, "As Kim Ju-ae has shown her presence at various events, including the founding anniversary of the Korean People's Army and her visit to the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun, and signs have been detected of her voicing her opinion on certain state policies, the NIS believes she has now entered the stage of being designated as successor."
This marks a progression from prior NIS evaluations. In January 2024, the agency assessed Ju-ae, believed to be born in 2013, as the North's "most likely successor." Earlier views described her as being "trained" for the role. In January 2026, Ju-ae visited the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun for the first time with her parents, paying tribute at the Kim family mausoleum amid rising speculation about her potential succession.
The NIS indicated it will closely monitor whether Ju-ae attends the North's key Workers' Party congress scheduled for late February 2026. Her appearance or receipt of an official title there could intensify discussions on her grooming as successor.
Separately, the NIS commented on U.S.-North Korea talks, noting a possibility of dialogue if conditions are met. It observed that North Korea has expressed dissatisfaction with the South Korea-U.S. fact sheet and U.S. strategic asset deployments but has not ruled out talks with the U.S. and refrained from criticizing President Donald Trump. The agency also pointed out the North's restraint from intercontinental ballistic missile launches to avoid provoking Trump.
