JAKARTA - North Korean leader Kim Jong Un wore a black leather jacket with his daughter Kim Ju Ae while watching a military parade, according to a report by the state-run KCNA media on Thursday, sparking speculation that his daughter was being trained as a successor.
Ju Ae, featured in government photographs published to mark the closing stages of the ruling Workers' Party Congress.
The two wore matching leather jackets as they stood side by side to watch the massive military procession.
Kim's wife, Ri Sol Ju, also appeared with the two in similar outfits.
Analyst Lim Eul-chul said the jackets - which are the staple clothing of leader Kim, especially during important public appearances - are more than just a fashion statement.
"In North Korean political symbolism, the appearance has weight, related to the image of the leader as the main guarantor of national security and future prosperity," he said, as reported by Al Arabiya from AFP (26/2).
"So, when the same symbolic clothing is worn by her young daughter, it is difficult to regard it as a coincidence," he continued.
Other photos from the parade showed Ju Ae walking down the red carpet alongside her father as she received honors from North Korean military officials.
The Kim family has ruled North Korea for decades, and the personality cult surrounding their "Paektu lineage" dominates daily life in this isolated country.
Ju Ae has long been seen as the heir to the throne, a perception fueled by a series of recent public appearances.
Ju Ae has been clearly "designated as the successor," South Korea's national intelligence service said earlier this month.
Korea expert Leif-Eric Easley said Ju Ae's latest appearance showed her higher status.
"But she still appears in her capacity as the leader's daughter," he explained.
"He may not be old enough to participate in the congress with the official party title," he added.
Ju Ae was introduced to the public in 2022, when she accompanied her father to the launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile.
Prior to that, the only confirmation of his whereabouts came from former NBA star Dennis Rodman, who visited North Korea in 2013.
Pyongyang itself has never confirmed Ju Ae's exact age, but analysts believe she is still a teenager.
Ju Ae caught attention for her luxurious fashion sense, appearing with Gucci sunglasses and Cartier watches.
On other occasions, he emulates his father's signature style, wearing a leather jacket and matching sunglasses.
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