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North Korea is in the process of designating leader Kim Jong Un’s daughter, Kim Ju-ae, as his successor, South Korea’s top spy agency said Thursday, according to local media reports.
The National Intelligence Service (NIS) shared the assessment during a closed-door briefing to the parliamentary intelligence committee, Yonhap News reported.
Lawmakers Park Sun-won and Lee Seong-kweun conveyed the agency’s findings to reporters after the session.
The NIS believes North Korea has now entered the stage of designating Kim Ju-ae as the country’s next leader, Lee said, describing it as a significant development in the North’s leadership structure.
There was no immediate reaction from Pyongyang to the claim.
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According to the NIS, Kim Ju-ae has maintained a visible presence at key state events in recent months.
She attended celebrations marking the founding anniversary of the Korean People’s Army and accompanied her father on a visit to the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun.
The agency said signs have been detected suggesting that she has voiced opinions on certain state policies, indicating a possible expanding role in internal decision-making processes.
The NIS added that it will keep close tabs on whether Kim Ju-ae participates in North Korea’s major party congress set for later this month, as her attendance could further signal the progression of a formal succession process.
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