Over the past several months, Kim Yo-jong has made a series of high-profile statements, led key diplomatic communications, and appeared prominently at official events once dominated exclusively by her brother. Most notably, she was featured at a recent military parade standing close to Kim Jong-un, engaging with senior generals and Party leaders — a rare public gesture that North Korea watchers interpret as a deliberate show of power.
“She’s no longer just a shadow figure,” said Dr. Lee Hyun-soo, a North Korea expert at Ewha Womans University. “Her body language, positioning, and responsibilities all indicate a level of authority that goes beyond symbolic.”
Officially, Kim Yo-jong holds the title of Vice Department Director of the Workers' Party’s Central Committee, but her influence appears to exceed her formal rank. She has become the regime’s chief spokesperson for foreign policy, issuing direct threats to South Korea and the U.S., and shaping North Korea’s external messaging with a tone far more aggressive than her brother’s.
In April, she released a statement condemning joint U.S.-South Korea military drills, warning of “overwhelming countermeasures.” Her words were carried by state media without edits — an unusual move in a system where even top officials are heavily censored.
Intelligence agencies in South Korea and the U.S. are now closely monitoring her activities. A recent report from Seoul’s Ministry of Unification described her as “de facto second-in-command,” citing unnamed sources with knowledge of elite dynamics in Pyongyang.
Kim Yo-jong’s increasing prominence also revives speculation over succession planning in North Korea. With no known adult children, Kim Jong-un may be grooming his sister as a potential heir or power-sharing figure — a possibility that would mark a break from the strictly patriarchal structure of the Kim dynasty.
However, not all experts are convinced she is being positioned to rule.
“While her influence is growing, North Korea remains deeply conservative,” said Bruce Bennett, senior international/defense researcher at RAND Corporation. “It’s unclear whether the military and party elite would rally behind a female leader, even one with Kim blood.”
Still, the rise of Kim Yo-jong signals a potential shift in how power is exercised at the top of the regime — and who may wield it in the years to come.
As her voice grows louder and her presence more assertive, one thing is becoming clear: Kim Yo-jong is no longer operating behind the scenes. She is helping shape North Korea’s future — and possibly preparing to lead it.