Who is Kim Ju-ae, N. Korea dictator Kim Jong Un’s daughter?

The sudden rise of North Korea’s “first daughter” has sparked widespread speculation that Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un is priming the young girl to be his successor.

Kim Ju Ae, who is thought to be around 10 years of age, leaped into the spotlight amid a string of key public appearances alongside her father — from inspecting intercontinental ballistic missiles to attending military parades.

And her place in the family was even further enshrined when it was revealed she would be honored on five new postage stamps to be released by the government-run Korea Stamp Corporation.

While experts say it is too early to tell if Ju Ae is the “chosen one,” the sudden increase in her profile has led to speculation that North Korea’s dictator no longer relies heavily on his once-powerful sister, Kim Yo Jong.

Here’s what we know so far about Kim Jong Un’s daughter:

When was Kim Ju Ae born?

Kim Ju Ae — the daughter of Kim Jong Un and his wife, Ri Sol Ju — is believed to be about 10 years old.

News of her existence — and name — was revealed to the world by former NBA star Dennis Rodman back in 2013 following one of his infamous trips to North Korea.

“I held their baby Ju Ae and spoke with Ms. Ri [Sol Ju, Kim’s wife] as well. He’s a good dad and has a beautiful family,” Rodman, who has long boasted of his friendship with the North Korean despot, told the Guardian at the time.

What does Kim Ju Ae’s name mean?

The first syllable of her name, Ju, likely comes from her mother, Ri Sol Ju, and is the Chinese character for “main.”

Ae, the second syllable of her given name, is believed to have come from the Chinese character of love, Kwak Gil-seop, a former researcher at South Korea’s state-run Institute for National Security Strategy, told the Washington Post.

Does Kim Ju Ae have any siblings?

Ju Ae is believed to be the second of Kim Jong Un’s three children.

She is believed to have an older brother who was born in 2010 and a younger sister born in 2017, according to South Korean intelligence officials and reports.

North Korea has never released the names of Kim Jong Un’s children and very little is known about any of them.

Where has Kim Ju Ae appeared with her father?

The first official confirmation of Ju Ae’s existence came in November 2022 when she suddenly appeared alongside her father during a nuclear-capable missile launch exercise at Pyongyang International Airport.

It marked the first time state media had ever mentioned the girl or published photos of her, including one of Ju Ae holding her father’s hand.

Since then, Ju Ae has made a string of other public appearances — including sharing drinks, watching missile parades and dining with senior army commanders.

In February, Kim had brought his daughter to visit troops to mark the 75th anniversary of the founding of the country’s army.

Just days later, she took center stage again at a huge military parade.

Will Kim Ju Ae succeed her father in North Korea?

Ju Ae’s sudden presence in the spotlight has added to speculation that she could be in line to succeed her father.

State media have called her Kim’s “most beloved” or “respected” child and published photos of her touching her father’s cheek.

The state-run Korea Stamp Corporation also unveiled in February a new series of stamps that commemorate the missile launch where Ju Ae was first spotted.

Five of the stamps feature Kim and his daughter — in what experts say is another sign of her rise as heir apparent.