It would be no exaggeration to say that Kim Jong Un was the star of the military parade commemorating the 80th anniversary of Victory Day held in China on Sept. 3. He showed off the status of the North Korea-China-Russia triangular alliance, strutting with his hands clasped behind his back between Xi Jinping and Putin. He stood shoulder-to-shoulder with China and Russia on the Tiananmen rostrum, watched by the entire world. In bilateral talks with Russia, he received Putin’s highest expressions of gratitude for the recent troop deployment.
Media outlets across China competed to capture footage of the special train departing from Pyongyang, and as if enjoying this attention, North Korea even disclosed through Rodong Sinmun the exact time the train crossed the border. When the train arrived in Beijing, another point of interest was the sight of Kim Ju Ae standing behind Kim Jong Un. Notably absent was Kim Jong Un’s wife Ri Sol Ju, with Kim Ju Ae taking her place. This led South Korean and international media to describe it as Kim Ju Ae’s “successor initiation ceremony.”
Analysis and assessment
To conclude from the outset, I believe it is premature to judge Kim Ju Ae’s visit to China with Kim Jong Un as a successor initiation ceremony. In North Korea, where patriarchal thinking still prevails, it would be extremely difficult for a woman to assume the position of supreme leader. I have consistently emphasized that Kim Ju Ae serves as a prop for Kim Jong Un’s image politics. This is why we should focus more on “Kim Jong Un standing next to Kim Ju Ae” rather than on Kim Ju Ae herself. While this China visit is being framed as Kim Ju Ae’s successor initiation ceremony, it needs to be viewed from a different angle.
Five key points of analysis
First, the argument that Kim Ju Ae has elevated status because she stepped forward ahead of Choe Son Hui, Jo Yong Won, and Kim Dok Hun when disembarking from the train is unfounded. This scene has already been witnessed at various events within North Korea and is nothing new. Rather, what stands out more in that scene is Kim Jong Un receiving hospitality and welcome from China’s highest-ranking officials.
Second, the claim that North Korean authorities officially announced Kim Ju Ae as successor through the Sept. 3 Rodong Sinmun report is even more baseless. The newspaper contained none of the usual expressions used to describe Kim Ju Ae, such as “respected” or “beloved child,” and made no mention of her at all. The only thing published was a photo showing Kim Ju Ae behind Kim Jong Un, which must be interpreted within the context of the newspaper’s content — namely, to show that Kim Jong Un received the highest hospitality and welcome in China, projecting the image of a great leader.
Moreover, in this photo, an interpreter is clearly shown blocking Kim Ju Ae’s image. If she were considered the successor with supreme dignity, such a photo would be highly disrespectful. Given North Korea’s meticulous management, such a photo would not appear in Rodong Sinmun for North Korean citizens to see. Furthermore, every time Kim Ju Ae appears, one wonders why she copies Ri Sol Ju’s fashion, hairstyle, even hand gestures and walking style. If she were the successor, would there be any need for such imitation?
Third, crucially, Kim Ju Ae did not ascend to the rostrum, which was the centerpiece of this military parade. While other national leaders entered with their wives, creating the possibility that Kim Jong Un might enter with Kim Ju Ae, he did not bring her along. If this were an initiation ceremony, she should have been on that rostrum.
Fourth, the very expression “initiation ceremony” lacks foundation. In a place where Kim Jong Un enjoys absolute power, what reason would North Korea have to hold an initiation ceremony for a fourth-generation hereditary successor?
Fifth, the most significant meaning of Kim Jong Un’s visit to China was its use as a propaganda venue to demonstrate his status as an equal to China and Russia under the strengthened North Korea-China-Russia triangular alliance. In the entrance ceremony of the military parade with 26 national leaders participating, Kim Jong Un stood to Xi Jinping’s left and entered alongside Putin, creating an impression that other nations were following behind the North Korea-China-Russia trio. Ultimately, Kim Jong Un’s purpose in participating in this military parade was to flaunt his absolute power — not Kim Ju Ae’s — and to clearly demonstrate his value to Russia and China. In short, Kim Ju Ae was not the protagonist. Kim Jong Un’s inhumane behavior of packaging his own children as commodities to strengthen his political position domestically and internationally deserves condemnation.
Conclusion
Ultimately, whether it’s Kim Ju Ae or anyone else, the North Korean system must never continue into a fourth generation of hereditary succession. Rather than debating whether it will be Kim Ju Ae or not, we should consider what we can do to prevent the horrific prospect of this dictatorial system extending to a fourth generation.
