Kim Ju-ae, the daughter of North Korea's Chairperson of the State Affairs Commission Kim Jong-un, was unusually seen mingling with residents.
Korean Central News Agency reported on the 17th that the completion ceremony for 10,000 dwellings in stage 4 of the Hwasong district in Pyongyang was held the previous day with the Chairperson in attendance.
At the ceremony, Kim Ju-ae was extensively shown embracing new dwelling occupants with her father Kim Jong-un and offering congratulations in person. In particular, it is seen as unusual that Kim Ju-ae was reported mingling with ordinary citizens rather than with the Chairperson or senior party and government officials.
Some say that, ahead of the 9th party congress, the intent is to make residents more firmly recognize Kim Ju-ae as a strong successor in the Paektu bloodline household. Recently, the National Intelligence Service (NIS) reported to the National Assembly that Kim Ju-ae appears to have entered the stage of being designated as successor, offering opinions on certain policies.
The Rodong Sinmun, which North Korean residents read, also reportedly carried the same content prominently.
However, since not only Kim Ju-ae but also the Chairperson's wife Ri Sol-ju accompanied the completion ceremony, some raise the possibility that the aim was to emphasize the image of an affectionate family centered on Kim Ju-ae rather than to stress a succession structure.