Wait, so Kim Jong-un has kids? First news…
No. It was known, anyway. But not too much. The Kim family is not in the habit of displaying their private life in broad daylight. But there, the Supreme Leader hits hard: he has just appeared publicly for the first time with his 10-year-old daughter Ju-ae, twice in the same week…
For a particular event?
Who are you telling! Ju-ae’s first appearance came for the launch of the new Hwasong-17, the Korean regime’s largest intercontinental missile, potentially powerful enough to reach the United States. She was seen again a few days later with soldiers, scientists and other regime loyalists linked to this new ballistic toy. The photos went around the world.
KCNA PHOTO, VIA REUTERS
Kim Jong-un and his daughter in front of an intercontinental ballistic missile
How should we interpret this sudden overexposure?
The 10,000 won question! Several media have suggested that Kim Jong-un, 38, wanted to present his successor to extend the dynasty. Some clues would also point in this direction. First, North Korean media have described Ju-ae as the dictator’s “darling” and “precious child”, a likely sign that she is indeed the heiress. Secondly, we saw a four-star general bow to the child, another detail going in this direction. Finally, why expose her, and not another of her three children?
But yes of course. It all makes sense!
Yes, except not so much. We spoke to experts from Korea, and they are rather perplexed. “We will have a clearer idea in the months to come,” nuance Joseph H. Chung, professor at UQAM and co-director of the Observatory of East Asia (OAE). ” A lot of noise for nothing. It’s media excitement,” adds Juliette Morillot, journalist specializing in Korea and co-author of World according to Kim Jong-un and of North Korea in 100 questions.
Oh good ? Explain.
For Joseph H. Chung, it must first be seen as a marketing stunt. With the eyes of the world on Ukraine, something striking was needed for the Hwasong-17 missile to not go unnoticed. “A father and his daughter, that attracts more attention, doesn’t it? »
No wonder, adds the professor, that this media drama is happening now. Because the country is currently in a phase of “psychological insecurity”. The economy is struggling, COVID-19 persists and South Korea is flexing its muscles, as evidenced by the deployment of 240 military aircraft in late October, together with the Americans, for Operation Vigilant Storm.
KCNA PHOTO, VIA ASSOCIATED PRESS
Kim Jong-un and his daughter pose with scientists and workers.
In this context, the girl’s appearances should not be seen as a prelude to succession, but as the propagandist symbol of a “strong and solid” North Korea, notes Mr. Chung. “He wants to show that the dynasty is intact. »
A paternalistic image that reassures, adds Juliette Morillot: “Kim Jong-un presents himself as the father of the Nation. The message is that he protects his people against danger, as he protects his family. That’s why his daughter is here. »
Ah. Shame. We were delighted to see a woman leading the country.
Never say never. But for the time being, this track does not seem to be favored. Especially since Ju-ae would have an older brother, who would currently be in Europe for his studies. There are no official rulers in the Kim dynasty. But logically, one can imagine that it is rather he who will succeed his father… who himself had succeeded his father… who had himself succeeded his father.
“It’s a fairly Confucian, fairly traditional country,” concludes Juliette Morillot. It is therefore probably he who, despite everything, will be best placed. Anyway, how can a young girl be accepted by all those old men you see in the pictures?
“It’s really very masculine all that…”