North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has been more active in official events in the first six months of 2024 than in any previous first half since 2014. Data revealed that Kim participated in 92 official activities during this period, nearly doubling the number from the previous year. Military-related events have been at their highest level since Kim assumed power, with 30 cases reported.
In terms of military activities, this year has seen the highest number of cases since Kim took office in 2011. The figures show a significant increase compared to previous years, with 49 military-related activities in 2024 and 43 in the previous year. South Korea’s unification ministry reported 40 military-related activities for Kim in the first half of this year.
Kim’s daughter, Ju-ae, has also been making more public appearances alongside her father, with a total of 19 appearances in the first half of 2024. This marks a record number of public appearances for her since Kim came into power. While her increased presence has sparked speculation about her role, experts suggest that additional factors need to be considered to confirm her status as a successor.
Experts caution that Ju-ae’s increased public appearances do not definitively indicate her status as a successor. Factors such as her title, positioning, and appearances alongside other key figures like Kim’s wife and sister need to be taken into account. Ju-ae may be playing a symbolic role for North Korea’s younger generation, akin to her mother’s role as a first lady.
