South Korea’s National Intelligence Service (NIS) has revealed some new information about North Korean leader Kim Jong-un’s daughter and potential successor.
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Kim Jong-un's daughter is homeschooled and a horserider
The NIS briefed the parliamentary intelligence committee in a closed-door meeting Tuesday 7 March about Kim Jong-un’s second child, a girl named Kim Ju Ae, her older brother, and another sibling.
Lawmakers Youn Kun-young and Yoo Sang-bum shared new details about the Kim family with reporters after the briefing with the NIS, in particular the hobbies of Kim Jong-un’s daughter. Yoo told reporters that the girl has never been enrolled at an official education facility. He said:
Kim Ju Ae appears to be homeschooled in Pyongyang and her hobbies include horseback riding, swimming, and skiing. In particular, there is information that Kim Jong Un is quite satisfied with her excellent horseback riding skills.
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Will Kim Jong-un's daughter or son be his successor?
In terms of whether Kim Jong-un is indeed preparing his daughter to be his successor, Yoo believes:
The intention behind the second born Kim Ju Ae's frequent appearance in public seems like an effort to imprint the legitimacy of the hereditary succession of the Kim bloodline
The spy agency explained that Kim Jong-un is still too young and healthy to be nominating a successor already,despite recent speculation that his health is deteriorating.
In regards to Kim Ju Ae's two siblings, not much is known about them. The NIS said that Kim Jong-un’s eldest child is a boy, however it does not have 'concrete evidence' of this. While the agency confirms the existence a third child, the youngest sibling, their gender remains unknown.
The NIS said it was unable to confirm the suspicions raised by some that Kim Jong-un's son is not physically or mentally fit to succeed him.
This most recent information seems to confirm previous reports that Kim Jong-un’s daughter lived with her two siblings in a seaside estate in Wonsan, a port city in the province of Kanwon. It is believed the estate features swimming pools, tennis courts, soccer fields, waterslides, and a sports stadium, and is located near the beaches on the coast of the Sea of Japan.
Sources used:
ABC News: 'Seoul's intelligence reveals new facts about North Korean leader's daughter'
NPR: 'South Korea says again that Kim Jong Un has 3 children, and the eldest is a son'
NY Post: 'South Korea says Kim Jong Un has three kids as succession speculation grows'