Kim Ju Ae: The daughter who could rule North Korea - Asia Specific podcast, BBC World Service

For the past 15 years Kim Jong Un has been the face of North Korea, but now a new Kim is increasingly sharing the stage. This episode was republished on February 1st 2026, after the original version contained factual errors about who Kim Ju Ae has met. Click here to subscribe to our channel 👉🏽 https://bbc.in/3VyyriM Kim Ju Ae, the teenage daughter of the North Korean leader is increasingly being seen at her father’s side during major events. Is she being groomed to become the first female leader in the country’s history? Or will North Korea's male-dominated political and dynastic culture prove too strong to allow a female leader? Asia Specific host Mariko Oi is joined by the BBC’s Seoul correspondent Jake Kwon and Rupert Wingfield-Hayes, a former BBC correspondent who was detained in Pyongyang for three days in 2016. 00:00 Introduction 01:25 Who is Kim Ju Ae? 02:25 Who will be Kim Jong Un's successor? 04:20 What's behind Kim Ju Ae's prominence? 07:05 Being detained in Pyongyang 08:07 How do defectors escape North Korea? 09:55 North Korea's restrictions on citizens 12:35 North Korea's attempts at opening up 16:00 South Korea's relationship with North Korea 17:46 What's next for North Korea? ---------------- This is the official BBC World Service YouTube channel. If you like what we do, you can also find us here: Instagram 👉🏽   / bbcworldservice   Twitter 👉🏽   / bbcworldservice   Facebook 👉🏽   / bbcworldservice   BBC World Service website 👉🏽 https://www.bbc.co.uk/worldserviceradio Thanks for watching and subscribing! #BBCWorldService #WorldService #northkorea #kimjongun #kimjuae