Kim Jong-un

Kim Jong-un
Kim Jong-un
Born	January 8, 1984; Mt. Paektu
Occupation	politician
Known for	third successive member of the Kim family to serve as the ruler of North Korea

Kim Jong-un is the third successive leader of North Korea, who is a member of the prominent Kim family. The previous leaders were Kim Il-sung, his grandfather, and Kim Jong-il, his father. Commentators say the leadership of North Korea is effectively dynastic and conservative forces will try to ensure North Korea's next leader will also be a descendant of Kim Il-sung. Candidates include his daughter, widely known as Kim Ju-ae, who is just a school-child; Kim Yo-jong, his sister and most trusted advisor; and his uncle Kim Pyong-il.

On February 12, 2026, BBC News, reported that South Korean analysts have concluded that, while, in recent years, analysts had merely asserted it looked like Kim's daughter, Kim Ju-ae, was being groomed for leadership, they expected Kim Jong-un would soon officially announce she was his choice of successor, even though she is believed to be just 13 years old.^[1] They cited that Kim Ju-ae had recently stated political positions, on her own.

Some commentators assert Kim Jong-un fathered two additional children, out of wedlock, a son, Kim Il-bong, older than Kim Ju-ae, and another child believed to be half Kim Ju-ae's age.^[2] The number of children Kim's wife, Ri Sol-ju bore Kim, while widely reported to be three, might only be two. His daughter, widely reported to be named Kim Ju-ae, might really be named Kim Eun-ju.

References

↑ Jake Kwon (2026-02-12). "Kim Ju Ae: North Korea leader Kim Jong Un chooses daughter as heir, Seoul says". BBC Home. Retrieved 2026-02-12. 'As Kim Ju Ae has shown her presence at various events, including the founding anniversary of the Korean People's Army and her visit to the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun, and signs have been detected of her voicing her opinion on certain state policies, the NIS believes she has now entered the stage of being designated as successor,' Lee said.
↑ "North Korean leader's daughter known by wrong name: expert". The Korea Times. 2023-11-16. Archived from the original on 2023-11-16. Retrieved 2023-11-16. 'Kim’s first child is a son, and his name is Il-bong,' Choe said, adding that he is an illegitimate child and his mother is North Korean singer-turned-politician Hyon Song-wol. 'Kim’s youngest child is believed to be five years old or less. It remains unknown whether that child is a girl or a boy, but the child was born out of wedlock, too. The mother of that child is a Korean Japanese pianist. She is known by her first name Ryo-sim. But I don’t have any further details about her,' he added.

[Bbc2026-02-12-1] Jake Kwon (2026-02-12). "Kim Ju Ae: North Korea leader Kim Jong Un chooses daughter as heir, Seoul says". BBC Home. Retrieved 2026-02-12. 'As Kim Ju Ae has shown her presence at various events, including the founding anniversary of the Korean People's Army and her visit to the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun, and signs have been detected of her voicing her opinion on certain state policies, the NIS believes she has now entered the stage of being designated as successor,' Lee said.

[koreatimes2023-11-16-2] "North Korean leader's daughter known by wrong name: expert". The Korea Times. 2023-11-16. Archived from the original on 2023-11-16. Retrieved 2023-11-16. 'Kim’s first child is a son, and his name is Il-bong,' Choe said, adding that he is an illegitimate child and his mother is North Korean singer-turned-politician Hyon Song-wol. 'Kim’s youngest child is believed to be five years old or less. It remains unknown whether that child is a girl or a boy, but the child was born out of wedlock, too. The mother of that child is a Korean Japanese pianist. She is known by her first name Ryo-sim. But I don’t have any further details about her,' he added.

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