North Korea: Whoever is at the helm, the regime serves only itselfSpeculation that Kim’s daughter is to succeed him is rife, but Ju-ae’s image is about continuity, not changeThe Guardian EDitorialNorth Korea is unique in turning a putatively communist state into a dynastic system now in its third generation. Very little is known about her: Her exact age is uncertain; she might in fact be called Ju-hae — North Korean media does not name her; and she might have two siblings, possibly boys. Many believe that the patriarchal norms of North Korea preclude her becoming leader, although a few women have senior positions, and that her inability to continue the (male) bloodline would be another obstacle. However, whoever takes over, North Korea is not simply a family dictatorship. The Kim family cult, signaling continuity and stability, has served the elite as a whole.

Source: Taipei Times April 09, 2026 17:59 UTC