Kim Jong-un is preparing his daughter for succession, South Korea claims

According to South Korean lawmakers, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un is taking steps to consolidate his daughter's position as a possible successor. At the same time, there are signs that she is already involved in policymaking. Lawmakers made the statement on Thursday after a briefing by the National Intelligence Service (NIS).

The NIS will closely monitor whether the daughter, who is believed to be named Kim Ju-ae, will attend the next meeting of the ruling Korean Workers' Party and how the regime will introduce her, including whether she will receive an official title.

Lawmaker Lee Seong-kweun said that in the past, the NIS referred to Kim Ju-ae as a person who was "preparing to be a successor," but now it uses the term "has entered the stage of internal succession."

Kim Ju-ae, who is believed to be in her early teens, is appearing more and more often in state media alongside her father, including during inspections of weapons projects. According to the NIS, her appearances at public events indicate that she is providing political input and that the regime is effectively placing her in the position of second most powerful person.

The Korean Workers' Party is scheduled to meet at the end of February. Analysts expect the presentation of key goals in economics, foreign policy, and defense.

Kim is also overseeing the development of a large submarine that can carry up to 10 ballistic missiles. However, according to NIS analysis, it is not yet clear whether the submarine will be nuclear-powered.

(reuters, lud)