Kim Jong Un’s daughter and sister could clash in deadly power struggle

A conflict between Kim Jong Un’s sister and daughter over leadership in North Korea might lead to a family member being executed, experts suggest.

Last week, South Korea’s intelligence agency informed the national parliament that it suspects Kim Ju Ae, Kim Jong Un’s young teenage daughter, is on the verge of being named the country’s next leader as he seeks to extend the family dynasty into a fourth generation.

However, these plans could be undermined by his ambitious sister Kim Yo Jong, who is thought to be contemplating taking power for herself in case the dictator dies or becomes incapacitated.

The 38-year-old, who co-leads the propaganda department of the country’s ruling party, is highly regarded within the political and military circles and is widely seen as the second most powerful person in North Korea, following her brother.

She was also rumored to have taken over decision-making for Kim Jong Un during his illness in 2020.

Her extensive experience and accumulation of political influence within North Korea meant she was long considered the actual successor to Kim Jong Un.

But with Ju Ae increasingly appearing in public, similar to how her father did before being named Kim Jong Il’s successor, there is speculation that she might soon be named heir.

However, as a young girl, Kim Ju Ae lacks the experience to be an effective leader, experts say. Given her aunt’s aggressive nature, having previously launched personal attacks against former US president Joe Biden in 2013, a power struggle between the two Kims could be harsh.

Fyodor Tertitskiy, a historian from Russia and South Korea who teaches at Korea University, told the Daily Mail that if the line of succession were uncertain—for example, if Kim Jong Un died before he formally designated an heir—the consequences could be bloody.

He stated: ’The losing side might be purged with severe bias, possibly involving labor camps or executions, potentially even public executions or penalties for relatives.’

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, accompanied by his daughter Kim Ju Ae, seen attending a ceremony on April 26, 2025

’North Korea is an extremely cruel and ruthless place.’

Other experts offered similar viewpoints.

Dr. Edward Howell, a North Korea specialist who teaches at the University of Oxford, told the Daily Mail: ’We cannot dismiss the possibility of a power struggle between aunt and niece, especially since there is precedent for this.’

’North Korean history has taught us that no one, even those connected to the esteemed Kim dynasty, is safe.’

He pointed out multiple instances where Kim family members executed close relatives upon assuming power.

Just two years after Kim assumed power in 2011, he had his uncle and mentor, Jang Song Thaek, arrested on charges of engaging in ’anti-party, counter-revolutionary factional acts’.

The accusations included illicit affairs with women, harboring ’politically-motivated ambition’, undermining ’the party’s guidance over judicial, prosecution, and public security agencies’, and obstructing ’the nation’s economic affairs’.

He was executed by firing squad in 2013.

Intelligence services indicate Kim Jong Un is increasingly likely to transfer power to his daughter, Kim Ju-ae, believed to be 13.

Kim Jong Un’s ambitious sister, Kim Yo Jong, is reportedly planning to take control for herself should the dictator die or become incapacitated.

Meanwhile, Kim Jong Un’s older half-brother, Kim Jong Nam, fell out of favor with the dictator and was subsequently assassinated by having VX nerve agent smeared on his face at Kuala Lumpur airport in 2017.

It is widely believed he died on orders from the North Korean government.

Since North Korea’s founding in 1948, its leaders have come from the Kim dynasty, understood as either an absolute monarchy or a hereditary dictatorship.

Kim Jong Un himself was only named successor two years before he became Supreme Leader, allowing him little time to prepare for the role.

This could explain why he has begun suggesting Kim Ju Ae as his successor at such a young age.

If she reaches an age where she is entrenched in the country’s government, learning the skills necessary for dictatorial leadership, she might gain the experience and political influence within the state to attempt a serious bid for leadership without being officially named.

In that event, a power struggle could consume North Korea, experts noted.

Sanghun Seok, a former South Korean diplomat now working as a Senior Associate Fellow at RUSI, told the Daily Mail: ’A constant pattern is that internal power struggles, when they happen, typically end with one party decisively purging the other.’

Kim Jong Un and his daughter, Kim Ju Ae, were seen greeting bereaved family members on February 15, 2026.

’If a showdown were to occur, it would likely revolve around control of the military, the security services, and the party’s organizational and propaganda bodies, while minimizing any outward signs of instability.’

’In a system where political authority is closely linked to regime survival, both figures could be seen as threats to each other. In these contexts, succession is not just about prestige but about security and survival.’

’This creates structural motivators for key actors to secure control instead of relying on mutual accommodation.’

Howell remarked: ’We cannot rule out a power struggle between Kim Ju Ae and Kim Yo Jong, especially if the latter becomes more involved in the North Korean political system (or ascends to more prominent positions).’

’The fact that Kim Jong Un has previously assassinated relatives considered threats to his power does not eliminate the possibility of it happening again in the future with other North Korean leaders.’

South Korea’s intelligence agency reported last week that its analysts will monitor whether Ju Ae appears with her father before thousands of delegates at the upcoming Workers’ Party Congress, as this would indicate his intentions for succession.

She first appeared in public during a long-range missile test in November 2022 and has since attended a growing number of events with her father, including weapons tests, military parades, and factory openings.

She traveled with him to Beijing last September for Kim Jong Un’s first summit with Chinese leader Xi Jinping in six years, on the sidelines of a World War II event.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un (center L) and his daughter Ju Ae (center R) inspecting a training of the Korean People’s Army in 2024.

Speculation about her political future grew last month when she joined her parents during a New Year’s Day visit to Pyongyang’s Kumsusan Palace of the Sun, a sacred family mausoleum showcasing the embalmed bodies of her late grandfather and great-grandfather, the first- and second-generation leaders of the country.

Initially, South Korean officials expressed skepticism about her potential leadership due to the country’s conservative culture and tradition of male-dominated leadership.

In 2023, South Korea’s spy agency advised lawmakers that Kim Jong Un and his wife likely have an older son and a younger third child, whose gender is unknown.

However, her increasing presence in state media has prompted a reassessment.

In its previous assessment of Ju Ae’s status in September, the NIS informed lawmakers that Kim Jong Un’s decision to bring her on his trip to China was likely part of an effort to construct a ’narrative’ to facilitate her succession.

’In the past, the NIS described Kim Ju Ae as being in the process of ’successor training.’ What stood out today is their use of the term ’successor-designate stage,’ a noteworthy shift,’ said lawmaker Lee Seong Kweun, who attended the briefing.

According to Lee, the agency mentioned her growing role at high-profile military events, her inclusion in the family’s visit to Kumsusan, and signs that Kim Jong Un is beginning to seek her input on some policy issues.

Yo Jong, 38, is well-respected within political and military ranks and is widely regarded as the most powerful person in North Korea after Jong Un.

Kim Jong Un has yet to formally choose a successor, and as a result, all eyes will be on the upcoming Workers’ Party congress in late February, last held in 2016 and 2021, which could provide a stage for Jong Un to formalize his succession plans.

Dr. Howell shared with the Mail: ’This is why the coming weeks are particularly significant. We have the Ninth Party Congress, and this is important not only because it’s an ideal occasion for the North Korean leader to outline Pyongyang’s strategies, foreign policy, military strategies, and policy toward South Korea.

’If we observe any displays of Kim Ju Ae with her father on the fringes of this Congress, or if there’s any announcement concerning Kim Ju Ae, then this will be an important development to monitor.’