The latest development in North Korea's leadership succession indicates that Kim Jong-un has chosen his daughter, Kim Ju-ae, as his successor. According to Qaumi Awaz Stories, the South Korean National Intelligence Service (NIS) briefed parliament members in a closed session, revealing that Kim Ju-ae has reached the 'successor designation phase.' Previously, she was considered to be in the 'successor training phase,' but this has now changed, marking the beginning of the fourth generation of the Kim family's rule. Kim Ju-ae, believed to be around 13 years old, has been increasingly visible in public, attending significant military and state events alongside her father, including the Korean People's Army's founding anniversary and a visit to the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun in January 2026, a symbolic gesture of succession. Express News highlights the surprising shift from Kim Jong-un's sister, Kim Yo-jong, who was previously seen as a potential successor, to his daughter, Kim Ju-ae. The article notes that Kim Jong-un has not officially announced his daughter's succession but is evidently training her for leadership, as she accompanies him to both political and sensitive military events. The NIS claims that Kim Ju-ae's recent activities, including her first foreign trip to Beijing in September 2025, where she met Chinese leader Xi Jinping, suggest she is being groomed for a significant role. The sentiment in Express News is notably negative, pointing out the mysterious absence of Kim Jong-un in recent years and the speculation about his health, which adds urgency to the succession planning. This development is significant as it highlights the strategic and symbolic moves within North Korea's leadership, with potential implications for regional stability and international relations.