The South Korean National Intelligence Service says it is investigating reports that Kim Jong Un may have an older son, while reaffirming that his daughter, reportedly Kim Ju Ae and around 13 years old, appears to be the likeliest successor. The NIS says any possible older son would not currently be positioned to inherit power, and it has also confirmed the leader has a younger child of unknown gender. Analysts point to Kim Ju Ae's repeated public appearances and formal treatment by state media as evidence of rising status, though some experts question whether male-dominated elites would accept a female leader.
South Korea Probes Whether Kim Jong Un Has an Older Son — Daughter Kim Ju Ae Still Seen as Likely Heir
In this photo provided by the North Korean government, its leader Kim Jong Un and his daugther attend a commissioning ceremony of a destroyer, Kang Kon at a port in Wonsan, North Korea Sunday, Sept. 6, 2026. Independent journalists were not given access to cover the event depicted in this image distributed by the North Korean government. The content of this image is as provided and cannot be independently verified. Korean language watermark on image as provided by source reads: "KCNA" which is the abbreviation for Korean Central News Agency. (Korean Central News Agency/Korea News Service via AP)(KCNA via KNS via AP)
South Korea's National Intelligence Service (NIS) says it is working to verify whether North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has an elder son, while reaffirming its prior assessment that his daughter is the most likely successor.
The agency issued the clarification after media reports suggested South Korean intelligence had concluded Kim has no son with his wife, Ri Sol Ju. The NIS emphasized that even if an older son exists, he would not currently be in a position to replace Kim, who took power after his father's death in 2011.
Previous NIS assessments identified Kim's daughter, reportedly named Kim Ju Ae and believed to be about 13 years old, as the most probable heir. The agency said it is still trying to confirm reports of an older brother but stressed that, under present circumstances, such a brother would not be the designated successor. The NIS also confirmed Kim has a younger child whose sex has not been confirmed.
In this photo provided by the North Korean government, its leader Kim Jong Un, front center, his daugther, third left in front, and his wife Ri Sol Ju, second left in front, attend a commissioning ceremony of a destroyer, Kang Kon at a port in Wonsan, North Korea Sunday, Sept. 6, 2026. Independent journalists were not given access to cover the event depicted in this image distributed by the North Korean government. The content of this image is as provided and cannot be independently verified. Korean language watermark on image as provided by source reads: "KCNA" which is the abbreviation for Korean Central News Agency. (Korean Central News Agency/Korea News Service via AP)(KCNA via KNS via AP)
Public Role and Significance
The NIS has pointed to the girl's frequent public appearances and state protocols as indicators of rising political standing. Since late 2022, Kim Ju Ae has accompanied her father to high-profile events including missile tests and large military parades. North Korean state media have described her as Kim's "most beloved" or "respected" child and have repeatedly broadcast footage and photographs that underscore their closeness.
The NIS has not released detailed evidence in its public statement, saying instead that its conclusions are based on a comprehensive analysis of public activities and formal protocols.
Context And External Views
The earliest widely cited mention of the girl's name came from former NBA player Dennis Rodman, who recalled holding Kim Jong Un's baby daughter during a 2013 visit to Pyongyang. In 2023, a South Korean lawmaker said the NIS told a legislative committee that Kim Ju Ae had an older brother; the agency later clarified it was still investigating reports that the leader might have a son.
Analysts say the question of an elder brother matters because North Korea's political culture has long been patriarchal and male-dominated: since 1948, the country's three supreme leaders have been male members of the Kim family. Some experts doubt whether senior, aging officials would accept a female ruler, while others note that Kim Jong Un, now in his early 40s, may be reluctant to name a successor too soon because doing so could reduce his absolute authority.
For now, the NIS continues to monitor the situation and seeks to corroborate family details that remain opaque under North Korea's tightly controlled information environment.
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