North Korean state media has referred to Kim Jong Un’s daughter, Kim Ju Aye, as “hyango”, sparking speculation that she could be next in line to take over the top role in North Korea.
The North Korean term means “great person of leadership” and is reserved exclusively for leaders and their heirs.
Since 2022, the child whose age is unknown has been regularly referred to as “Korea’s morning star” and “beloved child” by North Korean media.
Analysts also believe that his regular appearances alongside his father are a recurring theme, indicating a rise in his political position.
But as questions arise over the succession plan, who are the North Korean leader’s siblings? MailOnline takes a look at the country’s first family.
Speculation has begun to rise that Kim Jong Un’s daughter Ju Aye could be next in line to take over as leader of North Korea (photo of Kim Ju Aye and Kim Jong Un).
But as questions arise over the succession plan, who are the Korean leader’s siblings? MailOnline takes a look at North Korea’s first family (pictured: Kim Jong Un)
Who are Kim Jong Un’s sisters?
Kim Jong Un’s father, Kim Jong-il, officially had five wives, but the late North Korean leader considered only one of them legitimate.
Kim Young-sook, who was the daughter of a senior military official, was the only partner Jong-il considered his “official” partner.
The couple shares two daughters: Kim Sul-song, born in 1973, and Kim Chun-song, who was reportedly welcomed into the world between 1976 and 1977.
There are very few reported details about Kim Chun-song beyond his date of birth.
According to Al-Jazeera, the couple’s eldest daughter, Kim Sul-song, was the former leader’s favorite child.
Sul-song is a senior academic and has the ability to speak several languages,
She is also said to have worked closely with her father as well as her grandfather Kim il-Sung.
The 49-year-old was responsible for her father’s schedule, security and travel plans. Al Jazeera reports.
But since the 2000s, the sister of the current North Korean leader has become a more discreet figure in the country’s politics, although she continues to be a high-ranking actor.
Although she owns several large business companies, her current role in her brother’s political regime is unclear.
Kim Yo-Jong, Jong-il’s youngest child (2019 photo), showed a keen interest in North Korean politics from a young age and now serves as deputy director of state media and cultural affairs of the country.
Some believe that Sul-song is a likely candidate to take over should something happen to Kim Jong-un.
Like her older sister, Yo-Jong, Jong-il’s youngest child, showed a keen interest in North Korean politics from an early age.
Kim Jong Un’s youngest sister holds the highly regarded position of the country’s deputy director of state media and cultural affairs.
She is also in charge of Kim Jong Un’s planning as well as managing his bodyguards and his meetings.
Who are Kim Jong Un’s brothers?
The late Kim Jong-nam (pictured), who died on February 13, 2017 after being targeted with a nerve agent, was Jong-il’s eldest son.
His father decided he was more useful to the country overseas, where he served as an ambassador on behalf of Kim Jong-il (Front photo: Kim Jong-Il and his son, Jong-Nam. Rear: The younger sister of Kim Jong-Il law, Song Hye-rang with her children, Lee Nam-ok and Lee Il-nam)
The late Kim Jong-nam, who died on February 13, 2017, was Jong-il’s eldest son.
He is the product of the late North Korean leader’s relationship with South Korean actress Song Hye-rim.
The 45-year-old grew up with his mother’s family and lived off and on outside the secretive country for a decade.
He was educated in Russia and Switzerland before returning to North Korea.
According to Al-Jazeera, he expressed his dissatisfaction with North Korean policy to his father.
He eventually landed a job with the country’s police force to help manage its computer systems.
When it came to succession, the water was always murky because it was unclear whether Jong-nam would ultimately take his father’s place.
The former North Korean leader ultimately decided his eldest son was more useful outside the secretive country.
Jong-nam was responsible for several family accounts and would act as an ambassador on his father’s behalf.
Jong-il’s eldest son has openly declared that he does not want to succeed his father as head of the country.
His father requested in his will that his eldest son not be targeted by assassins, according to Al-Jazeera.
In 2017, he was exposed to a nerve agent at Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Malaysia and died.
It is not known who assassinated Kim Jong-nam.
Kim Jong-chul (photo: 2015) is the other son of former North Korean leader Kim Jong-il. Jong-il reportedly said the 35-year-old did not have the right personality for North Korean politics.
Kim Jong-chul, 35, is the other half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
Born from Jong-il’s fourth marriage to Ko Yong-hui, like his older half-brother he also had no interest in politics.
Like his father, he enjoys writing, filming and listening to music, with a particular fondness for American blues, rock and electric guitars.
Compared to her sisters, her role in the regime is less, working as a writer for the country’s official publications.
According to Al Jazeera, the late Kim Jong-il said Jong-chul did not have the right personality for North Korean politics.