North Korea released a rare photograph on Saturday, February 28, 2026, showing leader Kim Jong Un’s teenage daughter firing a rifle at a shooting range. The image quickly drew international attention and increased speculation that she may be preparing to take on a larger role in the country’s leadership in the future.
Mr. Kim’s daughter, Ju Ae, has been seen at several important public events over the past year. Experts believe these appearances may be part of an effort to introduce her to the public and political elite as a possible successor.
Most recently, Ju Ae attended a large military parade that marked the closing stages of North Korea’s major party congress. She stood alongside her father as he reviewed troops and military equipment. Her presence at such high-profile events has strengthened views that she is being carefully prepared for future leadership.
North Korea is known for being highly secretive, and very little official information is shared about the personal lives of its leaders. The country is also nuclear-armed and tightly controlled by the ruling Kim family. Leadership has passed down through the family for three generations — from Kim Il Sung to Kim Jong Il, and now to Kim Jong Un.
While North Korea has not officially announced any successor, analysts say the repeated public appearances of Ju Ae, especially in military settings, suggest that she could be considered as a future leader. However, it remains unclear when or if such a transition might take place.