[EAI Commentary] The Meaning and Implications of Kim Jong-un's Young Daughter, Kim Ju-ae, Appearing in Public

The controversy surrounding the possibility of North Korea's fourth hereditary succession continues unabated. When Kim Jong-un appeared with his daughter Kim Ju-ae, some experts diagnosed it as the designation of a successor, while others focused on the fact that the location where Kim Ju-ae was revealed was the site of the test launch of the new intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) 'Hwasong-17,' interpreting it as an intention to maximize the value of nuclear weapons and attract international attention. There are also analyses suggesting that Kim Ju-ae's frequent appearances are due to power struggles between Ri Sol-ju and Kim Yo-jong. While various interpretations are possible given the unprecedented exposure of a ruler's young daughter, it is necessary to examine the phenomenon within the context of the underlying governance rather than focusing solely on Kim Ju-ae's appearance and activities.

Kim Jong-un's ruling power requires a certain magnitude and intensity of power, and a high level of so-called greatness (including the authority system). Kim Jong-un, who became the supreme leader in his twenties, has seized and consolidated all institutional power by ascending to the highest positions in the party, state, and military over the past decade of his rule. In terms of the authority system, Kim Jong-un, who is approaching 40, is attempting to solidify his position as the 'Great Father of the People' by featuring his young daughter and to secure absolute influence in North Korean society, which is deeply imbued with Confucian culture. In the early 1990s, when its legitimacy was denied due to the collapse of the communist bloc and social anxiety was high, North Korea promoted the 'Great Socialist Family Theory,' advocating living under a great father, to foster unity. This is because the Confucian notion that a father loves and trusts his children unconditionally, and children do not blame their parents for their shortcomings or betray them in difficult times, was recognized as having a stronger binding force than ideology.

While Kim Jong-un has consistently engaged in political propaganda to elevate himself to the status of 'father,' he has recently accelerated the symbolic manipulation of this 'father' image. By introducing a vertical relationship where the leader dedicates himself to the people, the people offer 'loyalty' (忠誠), and additionally, the father loves his children while the children offer 'filial piety' (孝城) to the father, he is further strengthening his absolute dominance. This is where Kim Jong-un's intention to use his young daughter, Kim Ju-ae, as a model of filial piety comes into play.

According to the Ministry of Unification, the title 'Suryong' (Leader) for Kim Jong-un was used 26 times by July of this year, a significant increase compared to 23 times in 2022 and 16 times in 2021. Furthermore, the title 'Eomeoi' (Father), used in conjunction with 'Suryong,' expanded its target from children to youth at the end of last year. The singular title 'Suryongnim' is exclusively reserved for Kim Il-sung, who is designated as the founder of the ideology and the founding father of the nation. The conceptual meanings of 'Great Leader' and 'Leader's Guidance' encompass Kim Il-sung, Kim Jong-il, and Kim Jong-un. However, the singular title 'Suryongnim' is not used for Kim Jong-il or Kim Jong-un; they are distinguished as 'Yeongdoja' (Leader). When North Koreans refer to the 'Father Leader,' they associate it with Kim Il-sung, thus Kim Jong-un is establishing absolute authority as a father by equating himself with Suryong Kim Il-sung.

On November 18 last year, Kim Jong-un's visit to the test launch site of the ICBM 'Hwasong-17,' his most significant achievement and a focus of global attention, hand-in-hand with his daughter Kim Ju-ae, was published in the Rodong Sinmun the following day. Rodong Sinmun's front page featured a photo of Kim Jong-un directing the ICBM launch, the second page showed Kim Jong-un and his daughter Kim Ju-ae holding hands, and the third page displayed a photo of Kim Jong-un, Ri Sol-ju, and Kim Ju-ae together. Considering the importance of page placement, it is evident that the intention was to portray the relationship between father and child, centered around Kim Jong-un, and to present a model of a unified family. On February 8, at the military parade celebrating the founding of the Korean People's Army, Kim Jong-un appeared with his daughter Kim Ju-ae and wife Ri Sol-ju. The previous day, at a party for military generals, Kim Ju-ae occupied a central position between the couple, making her presence felt, and at the parade's VIP section, intimate conversations and physical contact between the father and daughter were highlighted. Amidst intense domestic and international attention, the daughter was maximally utilized to project Kim Jong-un's warm image, the daughter's desire to please her father, and Ri Sol-ju's composed loyalty, all staged as a 'unified family' model. This foreshadows the establishment of a 'Great Socialist Family' order in North Korean society, with Kim Jong-un as its father.

In the past, Kim Jong-il served as the embodiment of loyalty to the Leader when he was designated as the successor, and in the early 1990s, he became a model of filial piety to the Father. Kim Jong-il's loyalty and filial piety were extended to the people, playing a decisive role in deifying Kim Il-sung. It appears that Kim Jong-un also deems it necessary to have someone embody the roles of loyalty and filial piety today. However, as Kim Jong-un ascended to the supreme leadership at a young age, it is difficult to establish a structure similar to the past where the next generation would play the role of successor. His younger sister, Kim Yo-jong, has served as a model of loyalty to Kim Jong-un in propaganda and agitation, as well as in external and inter-Korean affairs, acting as both a whip and a messenger. However, due to their sibling relationship, there are logical limitations in elevating Kim Jong-un as the 'father.' Therefore, with the appearance of his daughter Kim Ju-ae, Kim Jong-un's objective is to solidify his position as the most stable 'Father of the People.'

Psychologically, humans tend to rely on the absolute existence of a 'father' figure when society is most unstable and uncertain, seeking a god-like presence. In response, Kim Jong-un is attempting to expand a new domain of authority by constructing a 'father' image, thereby attempting to rebuild social order. The current disorder and instability in North Korean society can be confirmed through the contents of various recently adopted laws such as the State Secrets Protection Law (2023), the State Symbols Law (2023), and the Pyongyang Language Protection Law (2023). In such times, Kim Jong-un seeks to further strengthen the system of 'rule and obedience' by introducing a new order of 'filial piety' to the people's 'loyalty' towards him. This endeavor is also part of the process of North Korea becoming Kim Jong-un's private domain.

In North Korea, when emphasizing ideology, it is stressed that while parents give physical life, the Leader gives political life, thus one must be loyal and filial to the Father Leader. In the past, just as Kim Jong-il was loyal and filial to Kim Il-sung, the 'Father' of the 'Great Socialist Family,' Kim Ju-ae, who is currently in the spotlight of the media, may play a certain role in 'filial piety,' but she is far from being a successor. This is because, in North Korean society, which is rife with patriarchal Confucian culture, there are too many limitations for a woman like Kim Ju-ae to inherit power. Even if succession were to occur through Kim Ju-ae, there is a high probability that in the next generation, power would be inherited by a bloodline with a different surname, not the Paektu Bloodline. This would signify the end of the Kim dynasty, making it unlikely that a daughter would be chosen as a successor. Therefore, Kim Ju-ae's appearance is merely a means to strengthen Kim Jong-un's ruling power.

While North Korea undoubtedly has various political objectives with Kim Ju-ae's appearance, such as promoting its status as a nuclear power, guaranteeing the safety of the 'future generation,' and legitimizing the fourth hereditary succession, the intention to emphasize the benevolent image of a socialist father embracing millions of children by showing Kim Jong-un receiving the filial piety of his young daughter appears to be significant. Kim Jong-un, who dreams of a return to the era of Kim Il-sung, seeks to replicate the loyalty and filial piety of the people of that era in the present day. However, given that North Korean residents have experienced marketization for over 20 years and are responsible for their own livelihoods, it remains uncertain how much loyalty and filial piety they will offer to Kim Jong-un, the so-called father.

Kim Jong-un described the difficult situation in North Korea last year as a 'great upheaval since the founding of the nation.' Kim Jong-un's decision to bring his underage daughter onto the political stage, drawing public attention, stems from the desperation to respond to domestic and international difficulties. This desperation is aimed at stabilizing the Kim Jong-un regime, and Kim Ju-ae's appearance offers several implications.

First, Kim Ju-ae's appearance will further deepen the deification of the Paektu Bloodline. North Korean media has referred to Kim Ju-ae as 'beloved child,' 'esteemed child,' and 'respected child.' Kim Ju-ae will accompany Kim Jong-un to various events in the future, and through frequent exposure, she will play an important role in the idolization of the Paektu Bloodline. This poses a serious problem, further strengthening the hereditary and dictatorial nature of the North Korean regime.

Second, it will enhance the poor political environment of North Korean society and the false consciousness of North Korean residents. Kim Jong-un, who inherited the power of his grandfather and father, is attempting to elevate the authority of the great father by featuring his daughter. In this process, through information monopoly, selective dissemination, and repetitive education, North Korean residents will develop a consciousness and attitude of self-subordination within a 'unified great family.' Individual dignity and value will cease to exist, and a false consciousness will be ingrained, recognizing only Kim Jong-un and the Paektu Bloodline within the totalitarian framework. Therefore, various measures are needed to encourage interest and openness that will lead North Korea to share universal values and become a member of the international community.

Third, through Kim Ju-ae's frequent appearances at ICBM launch sites and military events, it has been emphasized that 'nuclear weapons and bloodline' are like two sides of the same coin (regime). After Kim Yo-jong's statement in August last year that 'nuclear weapons are our national identity (regime),' North Korea adopted a nuclear doctrine law in September, asserting the right to preemptive use, including the use of nuclear weapons. This series of events signifies that there is no intention to abandon nuclear weapons. Ultimately, denuclearization of North Korea would mean the collapse of the Paektu Bloodline. This is a point where strong international response is needed for the denuclearization of North Korea.

These implications show that Kim Ju-ae's appearance is linked to various issues in North Korea. While North Korea symbolizes a specific bloodline and individual, on the other hand, its members, within the collectivism and 'our-style' (North Korean-style) that it boasts of, suffer human rights violations. The nuclear issue, possessed by such an abnormal state, is becoming a serious threat that creates instability for neighboring countries and the international community. It is time to address North Korea's nuclear and human rights issues in parallel.

■ Choi Kyung-hee, Director of the SAND Institute.

■ Contact and Editing:Park Ji-soo, EAI Research Fellow

Inquiries and Editing: 02 2277 1683 (ext. 208) | jspark@eai.or.kr