Kim Jong-un's latest photos with wife and daughter contain small details that may confirm succession

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has recently reappeared after being declared 'missing' for over a month. He presided over his ruling Workers’ Party’s Central Military Commission meeting on Monday 6 February. The following night, the eve of the 75th anniversary of the founding of the Korean People’s Army, Kim Jong-un visited troops at a celebratory banquet alongside his top military figures, and most significantly, his daughter.

Kim Jong-un's 'respected daughter'

The banquet took place at the Yanggakdo Hotel, which is located on an island in the river that runs through Pyongyang. Photos of the evening were released by the state Korean Central News Agency on Wednesday 8 February and were featured on the front page of the Rodong Sinmun newspaper, prior to an expected mass military parade to celebrate the anniversary.

The report didn’t identify the girl by name or reveal her age, describing her only as Kim Jong-un’s 'respected daughter'. She is typically referred to as 'beloved', the new term being an 'apparent upgrade', as reported by The Washington Post.

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Details that reveal his daughter is his successor

However, it is believed that the girl's name Kim Ju Ae, who is thought to be between 9 and 11 years old. She is in the centre of all the photos — a position typically reserved for the leader himself. The girl’s hair is styled similarly to her mother’s, first lady Ri Sol Ju. Meanwhile, she is dressed similarly to her father, wearing a black skirt suit with a white shirt and black shoes that resemble Mary Janes.

That Kim Jong-un’s daughter is being featured in the media represents an 'active push' from Pyongyang to increase her profile, according to Cheong Seong-chang, a North Korea leadership expert at the Sejong Institute outside Seoul. He said:

Given these developments, there is no longer a question about whether Kim Ju Ae has been chosen as Kim Jong Un’s successor.

Sources used:

- The Washington Post: 'North Korea’s Kim Jong Un gives clearest sign daughter is heir apparent'

- Associated Press:'North Korean leader Kim brings daughter to visit troops'