THE TELEGRAPH
The young daughter of Kim Jong-un is being trained to succeed him, South Korean intelligence sources have alleged, increasing speculation over the reclusive leader’s health.
The National Intelligence Service (NIS) briefed a parliamentary committee in Seoul on Monday that they had based their analysis on the frequency and nature of her public appearances as well as the North Korean state propaganda surrounding her position in the Kim dynasty.
Kim Ju-ae, who is believed to be about 11 years old, was first revealed by her father in November 2022 at the test launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile and has since been seen mingling with top generals at major military events.
She has been referred to as the “respected daughter” and “beloved child” by the state’s strictly controlled media, and as a “great person of guidance” in March, a term typically reserved for top leaders and their successors.
The NIS concluded that a “significant successor structure” was forming based on their observation that “more than 60 per cent of Kim Ju-ae’s activities included accompanying her father in military activities”, Lee Seong-kwon, a politician who attended the briefing, told local media.
“Pyongyang is teaching Kim Ju-ae to be heir apparent, indicating she’s the most likely successor,” Mr Lee told reporters after the agency briefing.
But the spy agency added a caveat that it had not ruled out the possibility that a brother could step forward to claim the Kim throne.
The question of Kim’s successor has gained prominence in recent years due to speculation about his poor health and extravagant lifestyle, with reports of his excessive drinking and smoking habits combined with high levels of stress.
The NIS estimates the authoritarian leader, who is around 40 years old, weighs 140kg and is at high risk for heart disease, which runs in the family. The agency believes he first started showing symptoms of high blood pressure and diabetes in his early 30s, said Mr Lee.
“A trend has been detected in which Kim Jong-un is seeking medications other than the existing ones,” he said.
Some of Kim’s stress may be related to the weather. North Korea has been hit again this year by record-breaking rain and major floods that have left thousands of people stranded and damaged farmland crucial for providing food for the malnourished population.
The heavy rains submerged homes and swamped Sinujiu city and Uiju county, bordering China. Kim was spotted in rare pictures apparently intended to show him leading the relief effort as he traversed flooded roads in his black Lexus, water lapping at the bottom of the vehicle’s doors.
Kim was angered by a “grave crisis” caused by local officials, according to state media, reported NK News.
He was reported to have “personally directed the battle” and declared parts of three provinces as “special disaster emergency zones” while ordering officials to deliver aid to victims and take rapid action to prevent further disasters from future rainfall.
More than 4,200 residents were said to have been evacuated by air but the flooding will compound fears about increased food insecurity in the coming months.
South Korea’s unification ministry said the coverage of the floods appeared intended to strengthen propaganda about Kim’s image as a leader who loves his people and to emphasise his crisis management capabilities.
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