10/02/2023
Rows of monster missiles flew past North Korea's capital, Pyongyang, on Wednesday night. But it wasn't just their weapons that Kim Jong-un was looking at. His daughter was also present in this display of weapons.
As the North Korean leader assumed his usual parade position, he was accompanied in the center of the balcony by a young girl dressed unusually in black.
She is believed to be their second eldest child, and is named Kim Joo-ae, and is about 10 years old.
This is the fifth time in less than three months that she has been seen at a public gathering.
She has undergone a remarkable transformation in that short time, raising the possibility that she has been chosen as the future leader of North Korea.
When she first appeared at the launch of the Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) in November last year, speculation was rife. Many people whispered: Will this girl one day lead the world's most secretive state?
But at that time, thinking that was a bit far-fetched.
Holding her father's hand, she looked so young. Perhaps Mr. Kim just wanted to portray himself as a good father or pretend that his family was here to stay, with all its weapons.
But after each appearance, young Kim seemed to grow taller
Before the parade on Tuesday night, he attended a banquet for top North Korean military officials. The images came as a surprise to many North Korea watchers. In each picture she takes center stage, sitting between her mother and father, and surrounded by military officers.
Another interesting thing is the choice of words to introduce young Miss Kim.
She was first introduced in state media as Kim Jong-un's 'beloved' daughter. Until Tuesday's military banquet, she was given the status of 'respectable' daughter. This status is reserved only for the most respected individuals. It was only after Kim Jong-un's status as the future leader was solidified that he began to be called 'respectable comrade'.
Since its founding, North Korea has been ruled by three generations of the Kim dynasty. Its citizens are told that the family belongs to a sacred lineage, which means that only they can lead the country. Kim Jong-un will want to ensure that he passes this responsibility on to the fourth generation.
But even if Ms. Joy is the heiress, why is she being introduced so quickly and so quickly? Kim Jong is only 39 years old and his daughter is still a baby.
Kim Jong-un was reportedly revealed as the successor to his father Kim Jong-il when he was eight years old, but only communicated privately with military leaders.
This was made public about a year before his father's death. This gave him a rough start, as he worked ruthlessly to consolidate power.
Perhaps they are trying to make it easy for their daughter. By ensuring that their position will be more stable when they take office. Perhaps their own health is not good, and they don't have much time.
Kim Jong-un also needs more time to overcome the prejudices of a highly patriarchal society. North Korea has never been led by a woman, although some women hold high positions, the most prominent example being Kim Jong-un's sister, Kim Yo-jong.
According to James Fretwell, an analyst at NK News, a North Korea monitoring platform, it is not impossible.
"Although North Korea is a male-dominated society, it is also subservient to Kim," he told the BBC. More than anything, his pedigree will make him a potential leadership candidate. What would be more surprising would be a man or woman outside the ruling Kim family.
He says that it will take hard work for a woman to occupy the highest position, the people, the army and the elite accept her in the true sense.
There can be no guarantee that Kim Joo-e will be the next leader of North Korea, but every time she appears in the public scene, it seems to be the case.