Kim Jong Un’s daughter could face deadly succession battle against ‘ruthless’ aunt | News World

South Korea says it believes Kim has chosen a successor – however it may lead to a divide within the family (Pictures: Getty/AP/Metro)

North Korea has been ruled by Kim Jong-un with an iron fist for greater than 14 years after the death of his father in 2011.

This week, rumours that Kim Jong-un has chosen his daughter, Kim Ju-ae, as his successor have spread – however the selection may lead to a bitter battle together with his sister.

Until a couple of years ago, the young teenager was kept out of the general public eye, but has recently been attending high-profile events along with her dictator father.

But Kim’s plans could possibly be thwarted by his 38-year-old sister, Kim Yo Jong, who’s reported to be planning a seizure of power if her brother dies.

Kim Yo Jong currently leads the propaganda department of the country and is held in high esteem by those across the country.

An authority has now revealed that a fight for power between Kim’s daughter and sister could end with bloody consequences.

FILE PHOTO: North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and his sister Kim Yo Jong attend a meeting with South Korean President Moon Jae-in at the Peace House at the truce village of Panmunjom inside the demilitarized zone separating the two Koreas, South Korea, April 27, 2018. Korea Summit Press Pool/Pool via Reuters/File Photo
Kim Jong-un’s sister, Kim Yo Jong (right) could fight to take over power of the country (Picture: Reuters)
FILE - In this photo provided by the North Korean government, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, center left, and his daughter, center right, arrive at the East Pyongyang Grand Theatre in Pyongyang, North Korea, June 29, 2025. Independent journalists were not given access to cover the event depicted in this image distributed by the North Korean government. The content of this image is as provided and cannot be independently verified. (Korean Central News Agency/Korea News Service via AP, File)
Kim Ju-ae has been making more appearances along with her father (Picture: AP)

Fyodor Tertitskiy, a Russian and South Korean historian, told the Mail: ‘The losing side could possibly be purged with extreme prejudice, which can be mean labour camps, which can mean executions, potentially even public executions or punishments for relatives.

‘Considered one of the things we’ve learned from North Korean history is that nobody, even should you are tied to the dear Kim dynasty, is protected.’ 

Kim previously murdered his own uncle by firing squad, so internal fights for power within the family aren’t something recent.

The North Korean leader is currently 42 years old, but has faced health issues prior to now from his heavy drinking and smoking.

His family has a history of heart issues, and the South Korean spy agency said that Kim has suffered from obesity-related problems like diabetes and hypertension.

If he were to pass away or change into incapacitated, a brutal fight for power could unfold behind North Korean borders.

What can we learn about Kim Jong-un’s daughter?

(FILES) This picture taken on March 15, 2024 and released from North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on March 16 shows North Korean leader Kim Jong Un (centre L) and his daughter Ju Ae (centre R) inspecting a training of the Korean People's Army at an undisclosed location in North Korea. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has entrenched his daughter as heir apparent ahead of a landmark party conference, a South Korean lawmaker said on February 12, 2026 after a briefing from Seoul's main intelligence agency. (Photo by KCNA VIA KNS / AFP via Getty Images) / - South Korea OUT / REPUBLIC OF KOREA OUT ---EDITORS NOTE--- RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - MANDATORY CREDIT
Kim Ju-ae is believed to be around 13-14 years old (Picture: AFP)

The complete family of Kim Jong-un is secretive, and there remains to be speculation about what number of children he and his wife, Ko Yong-hui, have together.

It’s reported that Kim Ju-ae is the center child of three. She is believed to be across the age of 13 or 14, but her birthday isn’t known.

She was introduced as an infant to former NBA star Dennis Rodman during one among his visits to North Korea in early 2013.

Her first public appearance in Western media was in November 2022 when she was pictured accompanying her father during an inspection of the launch of the country’s largest ballistic missile, a Hwasong-17 intercontinental.

Before that, Kim Ju-ae’s existence had never been confirmed.

Her recently public profile could possibly be a sign that the teenager will later change into a pacesetter and present the Kim family within the type of a monarchy.

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