Kim Jong-un: Here’s why his daughter won’t be his successor, according to South Korean minister

A South Korean minister has come out and said he doesn’t believe that North Korea leader Kim Jong-un’s daughter will be his successor. Here’s why.

Kim Jong-un promoting the Paektu bloodline

South Korea’s unification minister, Kwon Young-se, told a parliamentary session on Wednesday 15 February that he doubts recent appearances by Kim Jong-un’s daughter means she’s next in line to become head of the hermit kingdom.

Kwon said that it's more probable the daughter’s recent appearances at high-profile events are an attempt to 'solidify loyalty for Kim Jong Un and his family'. What's more, he believes the appearances are propaganda boasting the preeminence of the Kim family bloodline, referring to how soldiers at the recent military parade chanted 'Paektu bloodline with our lives' as they marched past the Kim family.

Kwon said:

I see it as a likely measure to prepare for a fourth-generation hereditary succession in advance, and to solidify regime unity focusing around Kim Jong Un and the so-called Paektu bloodline.

The Paektu bloodline refers to the lineage of the Kim leaders and their families, beginning with founder Kim Il Sung. The bloodline is named after the largest mountain on the Korean Peninsula, Mount Paektu, which has significant meaning in North Korean lore.

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Kim Jong-un too young and female leader unlikely

Kwon also said it was unlikely that a patriarchal regime like the DPRK would support a female leader:

Of course, the ministry is open to various possibilities and is closely monitoring … but there are doubts about whether it is reasonable to expect a woman to succeed Kim Jong Un.

In addition, the minister believes Kim Jong-un, in his late 30s, is too ‘young’ to already be considering a successor. Kwon added:

But, all in all, I do think that it seems he has the intention to pursue a fourth-generational hereditary succession of power, considering various contexts.

However, whether that is Kim Jong-un's daughter remains to be seen. Indeed, Yang Moo-jin, a professor at the University of North Korean Studies in Seoul, seems to agree with Kwon and suggests another potential successor. Yang told AFP:

It's still very possible that Ju Ae is just being used for (propaganda)... while Kim's eldest son is being groomed as a successor behind closed doors.

Sources used:

- NK News: 'Kim Jong Un’s daughter unlikely to be next leader of North Korea: Seoul minister'

- NDTV: 'North Korea Unveils Stamp Featuring Kim Jong Un's Daughter'