As North Korea’s leader, Kim Jong-un has controlled every aspect of his country, including the choice of who will succeed him. Many speculated that his daughter, Ju-ae, would be groomed to take over the mantle, given the immense power he wields over North Korea. However, recent photographs of Ju-ae have shattered that assumption, as the young girl has been reduced to nothing more than a symbol of North Korea’s elitist propaganda.
Ju-ae’s existence represents the stark contrast between North Korea’s public-facing narrative of progress and the country’s stark reality. Her father may hold the title of Supreme Leader in North Korea, but he is ultimately accountable to the country’s ruling elites, who have systematically stripped Ju-ae of any semblance of power or authority.
The ruling class of North Korea remains firmly entrenched, making it unlikely that any outsider, let alone the daughter of the Supreme Leader, could hope to challenge their authority. The North Korean people have been mercilessly subjected to the will of these elites for generations. They have seen their country fall behind the rest of the world, and they continue to suffer under a government that prioritizes pomp and ceremony over their basic human rights.
It is unsurprising, then, that Ju-ae will not be the one to break this cycle. She is merely a pawn in a game of political chess, used to strengthen the image of North Korea as a unified nation. She will never hold the power to make real change, let alone claim the throne.
While Ju-ae’s ultimate fate remains unknown, one thing is certain: her future in North Korea will be as devoid of hope as that of her fellow citizens. The true rulers of North Korea remain in control, and the people will continue to languish under their oppressive thumb. The untouchable crown of the North Korean regime eludes many, and it seems it will forever remain out of reach for Ju-ae.
