During the regular briefing, the Ministry of Unification of South Korea stated that they are keeping a close eye on, considering the possibility of Kim Ju Ae’s succeeding
The Ministry of Unification of South Korea has suggested that Kim Ju Ae, the daughter of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, maybe a potential successor, following North Korean state media’s use of the term “Hyangdo” about her.
On the 18th, during a regular briefing, South Korean Ministry of Unification spokesperson Koo Byung Sam said, “Considering the various protocols and expressions shown through North Korea’s official media regarding Ju Ae, we believe there is a possibility of her becoming a successor. We are keeping all possibilities open and closely monitoring the situation.”
On the same day, a Unification Ministry of South Korea official said in a meeting with reporters, “We need to observe over time what exactly North Korea intended by doing so.”
In North Korea, “Hyangdo” refers to “a leader who illuminates the path for the masses to proceed and the straight way to victory in the revolutionary struggle.” Until now, North Korea has only used this term for Kim.
Recently, North Korean state media reported on the 16th about Kim’s visit to the Kangdong Greenhouse Farm, stating, “The great figures of ‘Hyangdo’ toured the Kangdong Comprehensive Greenhouse with party, government, and military officials.” The report also included Ju Ae in the category of “Hyangdo.”
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However, Central TV edited this part of the afternoon news on the same day and revised it to “Our beloved comrade Kim Jong Un.” This has led to speculation that North Korea may feel burdened by the external view of Ju Ae being mentioned as a successor.
Some have analyzed Kim’s health issues as the reason for the early appearance of Kim Ju Ae.
Cho Han Bum, a senior researcher at the Korea Institute for National Unification, said on YTN The News on the 18th, “It’s hard to find any reason for Kim Ju Ae’s early debut other than Kim Jong Un’s health issues and accidental circumstances.”
Cho pointed out health issues with Kim Jong Il when Kim Jong Un inherited power.
He explained, “Kim Jong Un’s existence began to be identified in 2008 when Kim Jong Il had a cerebral infarction. At that time, the CIA and our National Intelligence Service said that Kim Jong Il could only live for 3 more years, and he died exactly 3 years later. After Kim Jong Il’s stroke, Kim Jong Un’s on-site guidance started very quickly.”
He added, “When Kim Jong Un came out with his young daughter, people in Pyongyang would think, how Kim Jong Un came out when Kim Jong Il started to get sick. It does not seem normal that the serious succession lessons have begun, given the fact that at the age of 40, he can have another child in normal health conditions.”
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