South Korean Intelligence Service Believes North Korean Leader Kim Jong-un's First Child Is a Boy

JAKARTA - North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's first child is a son, while the gender of his third child has not been confirmed, South Korea's spy agency, the National Intelligence Service (NIS) said Tuesday.

The NIS also briefed the Parliamentary Intelligence Committee, North Korea is expected to carry out large-scale military exercises in March and April that may include the firing of a newly developed intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), according to lawmaker Yun Kun-young of the main opposition Democratic Party. .

"We do not have detailed evidence that the first child is a son. But we are sure that the first child is certainly a son based on intelligence that has been shared with external intelligence agencies," said council member Yoo Sang-beom of the ruling People Power Party, citing Korea Times, March 8.

Yoo further said, rumors that Leader Kim's son had physical and mental problems had not been confirmed.

Last year, Chairman Kim revealed his apparent second child, daughter Ju-Ae, for the first time in a photo that showed them attending the launch of an ICBM.

Since then, he has regularly appeared and accompanied Chairman Kim to events and gatherings, fueling speculation that he may be being groomed as his successor. However, Kim's first and third children were never seen in public.

In a text message sent to reporters, the NIS later said it was in the process of verifying that Leader Kim's first child was a son.

Regarding Ju-Ae, Yoo said she has not enrolled in an official academic organization so far and has been homeschooled.

He enjoys hobbies like horseback riding, swimming and skiing. Leader Kim was very satisfied with his horsemanship skills, according to intelligence, Yoo said.

The lawmaker said the NIS had not detected an order by North Korean authorities forcing people named Ju-Ae to change their names as reported in several media outlets.

With regard to North Korea's possible large-scale military drills, Yun said there was a chance Pyongyang could use reconnaissance satellites in April in line with Chairman Kim's instructions.

The lawmaker said the possibility of Pyongyang's test launching an ICBM to fly on a normal trajectory could not be ruled out, considering the technology request and the recent warning issued by Kim Yo-jong, the North Korean leader's sister.

On Tuesday, he warned North Korea was prepared to take "extraordinary" action against military activities by Washington and Seoul, as the rivals conducted joint military exercises involving US strategic assets.

The NIS also reported that North Korea is believed to be short of around 800.000 tons of rice a year, but the number of people starving to death is not at a level that poses a threat to the regime, according to lawmakers.