Seoul: South Korean lawmakers revealed intelligence briefings today that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un appears to be taking steps to secure his daughter's position as heir apparent, with signs indicating she has begun to participate in policy recommendations. Legislator Lee Sung-kwon revealed after a closed-door meeting with the NIS that while intelligence agencies had previously described Kim Ju-ae as "studying to become an heir," the current definition is that she is in the process of "internal appointment as heir."
According to Thai News Agency, Kim Ju-ae, believed to be in her early teens, has increasingly appeared prominently in North Korean state media, frequently accompanying her father on field assignments and inspections of weapons programs. Experts speculate she is being trained to become the country's fourth leader. Furthermore, legislators Lee Sung-kwon and Park Sun-won stated that the NIS believes her public roles indicate the beginning of her policy advice, and that she is being treated as the de facto second-highest-ranking leader.
South Korea's National Intelligence Service (NIS) said it will closely monitor whether the daughter, believed to be Kim Ju-ae, attends the upcoming Workers' Party convention, as well as the manner in which she will be introduced and whether she will hold any official position. North Korea has announced that the Workers' Party will hold its 9th National Congress at the end of February, which analysts predict will unveil key policy goals in economic, foreign, and defense matters for the coming years.
In the military sphere, Kim Jong-un is overseeing the development of a large submarine which, considering its displacement of 8,700 tons, is estimated to be able to carry up to 10 submarine-launched missiles. Legislators have indicated that the vessel may be designed to be powered by a nuclear reactor. However, intelligence agencies have not yet confirmed whether the submarine will actually use a nuclear power system or whether it will be able to operate fully as designed.