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Who Is Kim Ju‑ae? – North Korea’s “First Daughter”
Leader Kim Jong Un lounging poolside with daughter as he opens new beach resort. (Image: KCNA)

Kim Ju‑ae: Key Takeaways at a Glance

Kim Ju‑ae
Kim Ju‑ae

Kim Ju‑ae: Personal Background & Identity

  • Name Variants & Origins
    The name “Kim Ju‑ae” (김주애 / 金主愛) is most recognized internationally, but Korean and Chinese sources suggest alternate names:

    • Kim Ju‑ye (김주예 / 金主叡), meaning “become a wise master,” according to Li Il‑kyu, a former North Korean diplomat.

    • Kim Eun‑ju (김은주 / 金恩珠), as suggested by ex-NIS intelligence officer Choi Soo‑yong.
      North Korea has not officially confirmed her given name or its hanja (Chinese characters), leaving public sources to speculate.

  • Date of Birth and Age

  • Both Korean and Chinese Wikipedia list her birthdate as February 19, 2013, making her 12 years old as of June 2025 . South Korean intelligence also places her birth in 2013, supporting this date .

  • Family Structure

  • She is the daughter of Kim Jong Un and Ri Sol‑ju. Reports from sources like the Monthly Chosun (월간조선) indicate she may be the second child in a family of three, with older and younger siblings (possibly male) born around 2010 and 2017, respectively. However, eyewitness accounts suggest she may be the only publicly acknowledged child .

Public Appearances & Media Recognition

  • First Known Public Appearance
    On November 18, 2022, Ju‑ae appeared in official North Korean media alongside Kim Jong Un at a Hwasong‑17 ICBM test site.

  • Subsequent Appearances

    • November 27, 2022: Photographed among missile engineers.

    • February 7, 2023: Attended the 75th anniversary of the Korean People’s Army foundation, with state media calling her “respected daughter”.

    • September 2023: Present at a national defense parade.

    • November 2023: Described as a “rising star female commander” during satellite launch ceremonies.

    • May 2025: Made her debut at an international diplomatic event at the Russian embassy, alongside her father.

    • June 26, 2025: Attended the opening ceremony of the Wonsan‑Kalma coastal tourism site, appearing deliberately front and center .

  • Honorific Evolution
    North Korean media has described her with progressively elevated honorifics—from “beloved” (사랑하는 자제분), to “precious,” then “respected” (존경하는), and occasionally as “most beloved” (가장 사랑하는 따님).

Who Is Kim Ju‑ae? – North Korea’s “First Daughter”
North Korea Leader Kim tours the new beach resort alongside his daughter. Image: KCNA

Lifestyle & Public Image

  • Education & Activities
    Korean sources say she is likely educated at home in Pyongyang and enjoys sports such as horseback riding, skiing, and swimming .

  • Style Appearances
    News reports from June 2025 note a shift in her appearance—reportedly slimmer and with a more mature facial profile . She has also been seen wearing luxury brands, including a Dior watch in a public appearance.

Analysis of Media Treatment

  • National Media Strategy
    According to a Sejong Institute report, Ju‑ae began making frequent public appearances at key military events from late 2021 onward, with a gradual increase in observed ceremonial protocol.

  • International & Korean Observations

    • Taiwan’s CommonWealth Magazine highlighted her elevated honorifics—“respected daughter”—a title often reserved for the highest-ranking figures.

    • Radio Free Asia’s Korean Service described Ju‑ae’s visit to the Russian ambassador’s residence as marking her debut on the international stage.

Who Is Kim Ju‑ae? – North Korea’s “First Daughter”
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and his daughter Kim Ju Ae. Image: KCNA

What We Don’t Know (and What’s Deliberately Private)

  • True Legal Name
    Without official confirmation, the real hanja or given name remains unverified. Conflicting accounts suggest Kim Ju‑ye or Kim Eun‑ju as alternatives.

  • Number of Siblings
    Sources differ: some report multiple siblings, while others suggest only Ju‑ae is publicly recognized as a child—highlighting a gap in verifiable personal detail .

  • Education System
    There are no clear records of formal schooling. Most detail suggests exclusive private tutoring or homeschooling.

Summary of Verified Facts

  1. Name & Birthdate

    • Most widely known as Kim Ju‑ae (김주애 / 金主愛), born February 19, 2013.

    • Alternate names include Ju‑ye and Eun‑ju, with no official confirmation .

  2. Family

    • Daughter of Kim Jong Un and Ri Sol‑ju.

    • Reports of older and younger siblings are speculative .

  3. Public Role

    • First appeared in late 2022 at a missile test.

    • Attended numerous military, cultural, and diplomatic events between 2023–2025, with visibly rising prominence .

  4. Public Presentation

    • Honorifics have advanced over time.

    • She is shown as a sporty, stylish child, with carefully curated appearances .

Conclusion

Kim Ju‑ae remains a carefully portrayed figure: a young girl presented publicly in evolving roles—military observer, cultural attendee, and diplomatic presence. While her official name, sibling status, and education remain largely confidential, verified appearances from late 2022 to mid-2025 illustrate a clear upward trajectory in visibility.

She currently lives a lifestyle akin to a well-schooled, affluent youth—marked by private education, athletic interests, and fashion awareness. Given North Korea's opaque media environment, these carefully placed public moments appear designed to present her as a confident, public-facing member of the next generation.

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