A notable aspect of North Korea's 9th Workers' Party Congress was the inconspicuous presence of Kim Ju-ae, daughter of Chairman Kim Jong Un. This outcome defied expectations that Ju-ae would receive an official title at the congress, clarifying the succession structure. The result lends weight to cautious views that it is premature to conclude Ju-ae has been officially designated as successor, contrary to recent National Intelligence Service (NIS) analysis. Rather than rushing to formalize Ju-ae's succession, North Korea appears to be gradually strengthening her status to solidify her position as heir.
According to the Ministry of Unification and North Korean state media including Korean Central News Agency, Ju-ae was not prominently visible during the party congress held January 19-25. She was not spotted in coverage of the January 19 opening ceremony, nor was her name mentioned. Her official position or status was not revealed during announcements of executive, central committee, and politburo appointments. Ju-ae's most notable appearance came at the military parade celebrating the congress's conclusion on January 25, where she appeared alongside Chairman Kim and her mother Ri Sol-ju wearing leather attire.
These results differ significantly from earlier observations centered on NIS assessments that Ju-ae had entered the successor designation phase and might receive an official title at the congress. On January 12, NIS reported to the National Assembly Intelligence Committee: "With Ju-ae's prominence continuing through Armed Forces Day events and visits to Kumsusan Palace of the Sun, signs have been detected of her offering opinions on certain policies. Considering all factors, we judge she has entered the successor designation phase." The agency added it would "closely monitor Kim Ju-ae's participation in events surrounding the 9th Party Congress."
This outcome strengthens the view that clear evidence is lacking to support claims that Ju-ae has entered the successor designation phase. Yang Moo-jin, distinguished professor at the University of North Korean Studies, analyzed: "She is young, holds no party position, and has no personal cult of personality—mentioning successor designation was going too far. It is more reasonable to view Ju-ae as being in a successor training process." He added: "North Korea's succession theory has three stages—training, designation, and formalization. One must recognize that successors can change at any time during the training stage."
Lee Sang-geun, senior research fellow at the Institute for National Security Strategy, said at a January 26 press briefing: "Nothing new emerged regarding Ju-ae at this congress. The official Workers' Party membership age is 18, and granting a party position to Ju-ae, presumed born in 2013 and younger than that, would be impossible." Kim Jong-won, research fellow at the same institute, noted: "While NIS judged Ju-ae as designated successor, we should keep possibilities open."
However, analysts agree that consistent changes in Ju-ae's status before the congress clearly indicate she is a leading succession candidate. Given the burden of immediately positioning Ju-ae—young and female—as successor, North Korea is taking time to imprint her as potential heir domestically and internationally.
A prime example is North Korea's use of the term "hyangdo" (guiding light) for Ju-ae in 2024. The North Korean dictionary defines "hyangdoja" as "a leader who illuminates the path forward for the masses in revolutionary struggle and guides them to victory." Applying this expression, reserved exclusively for supreme leaders, to Ju-ae signals the succession structure.
Before the congress, Ju-ae appeared with Chairman Kim at Armed Forces Day events and Kumsusan Palace visits. On January 16, she attended the completion ceremony for 10,000 housing units in Pyongyang's Hwaseong District Phase 4, where she was photographed embracing and mingling with Pyongyang citizens. Analysts interpreted this as efforts to imprint Ju-ae as the leading successor in residents' minds.
At the January 25 parade, breaking her silence during the congress, she stood at the center of the podium alongside Chairman Kim, demonstrating her presence. This prompted interpretations that Ju-ae had advanced another step as the fourth-generation successor of the Paektu bloodline.
Senior Research Fellow Lee observed: "In the past, after North Korea used the term 'hyangdo' for Ju-ae, her activities markedly decreased. After the reaction subsided, they resumed frequent exposure of Ju-ae, repeating this pattern to imprint her as potential successor in residents' minds." Research Fellow Kim predicted: "Chairman Kim may want to designate Ju-ae as successor, but her limited appearance at this congress likely reflects the burden of succession designation at the regime level. They will continue to approach this cautiously."
Distinguished Professor Yang forecast: "During the five-year 9th Party Congress system, Ju-ae will officially increase her exposure frequency dramatically while unofficially receiving successor training. If Chairman Kim has no son, Ju-ae could begin performing the role of designated successor in earnest after the 10th Party Congress."