▲ North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un (right) and Kim Ju-ae
South Korea's National Intelligence Service (NIS) reported to the National Assembly today (September 30) that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's daughter, Ju-ae, is solidifying her position as his designated successor.
The NIS delivered this assessment during a closed-door plenary session of the parliamentary Intelligence Committee earlier today, according to committee executive secretaries Rep. Youn Kun-young of the Democratic Party of Korea and Rep. Yoo Young-ha of the People Power Party during a press briefing.
Regarding the status of Ju-ae as the designated successor, the NIS analyzed that "her position as the designated successor is being strengthened by elevating the level of protocol and the nature of her participation, such as standing directly in the center during a visit to the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun on January 1, and appearing for the first time at Victory Day events and at a memorial ceremony for revolutionary martyrs on National Liberation Day."
The agency added, "While Kim Ju-ae had previously focused on military-related sectors, she has recently expanded her activities into people's livelihoods, politics, and diplomacy, making 30 public appearances this year—the highest frequency to date."
The NIS also reported to the National Assembly for the first time her personal physical details based on its own intelligence, assessing that Ju-ae is over 160 cm (5 feet 3 inches) tall and weighs over 50 kg (110 pounds).
"Kim Ju-ae is building a mature image by wearing women's formal suits and dress shoes," the NIS explained to lawmakers. "We have also gathered intelligence that a gag order was issued to overseas diplomatic missions and that frontline officials handling U.S. relations are moving very busily."
Regarding Kim Jong Un's health, the NIS reported that "although he is severely obese, weighing in the 140 kg (308 pounds) range, there are no signs of abnormal health conditions."
The agency further elaborated to lawmakers, "Kim Jong Un's health condition puts him in a high-risk group for cardiovascular diseases due to severe obesity in the 140 kg range, but he carries out physical movements without difficulty, such as running up stairs during an inspection of a destroyer, and he is closely monitored by dedicated medical personnel. Thus, he is judged to show no significant signs of health problems."
On Kim's public activities this year, the NIS analyzed that "he has engaged in a total of 121 public appearances, an increase of 30% compared to the same period last year," noting that "he is currently refraining from provocative activities, such as weapons tests and inspecting military drills, amid recent moves to explore North Korea-U.S. dialogue."
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