Succession Rumors Swirl Around Kim Dynasty

New waves of speculation are intensifying over the future of North Korea’s leadership as reports of Kim Jong-un’s health and the growing political role of his sister, Kim Yo-jong, fuel persistent rumors about succession planning inside the Kim dynasty.

While the regime has made no official statement, recent absences by Kim Jong-un from key state events — combined with the sudden rise of younger figures within the ruling elite — have reignited questions about who might ultimately take the reins of the world’s most secretive state.

At the center of these discussions is Kim Yo-jong, long considered the most likely successor if the Supreme Leader were suddenly incapacitated. Her prominence in diplomatic messaging, policy declarations, and appearances beside military leadership has only increased in 2025.

“Her growing visibility isn’t symbolic — it’s strategic,” said Lim Soo-kyung, a North Korea expert at Seoul National University. “She is clearly being positioned as a pillar of continuity for the regime.”

South Korea’s intelligence agency has quietly updated its assessment of North Korea’s leadership structure, now describing Kim Yo-jong as a “core power figure” who may already be sharing key decision-making responsibilities. Analysts say this could be a sign of preparatory power-sharing, similar to how Kim Jong-un was quietly groomed before formally assuming power in 2011.

But Kim Yo-jong may not be the only contender. Other potential successors include:

• Kim Han-sol, the eldest son of Kim Jong-nam and a grandson of the former North Korean ruler Kim Jong Il.
• Kim Ju-ae, Kim Jong-un’s teenage daughter, whose rare public appearances have prompted speculation that she may be a long-term dynastic candidate.
• Choe Ryong-hae, the President of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly, a senior statesman often described as a “stabilizer” within the regime.
• Pak Jong-chon, a powerful military figure seen as central to North Korea’s weapons development and military doctrine.

Still, experts caution that real succession planning in North Korea is rarely transparent, and that the regime might intentionally foster uncertainty to reinforce Kim Jong-un’s grip on power.

“Floating names and allowing speculation is part of the game — it keeps elites guessing and keeps rivals off balance,” said Dr. Marcus Taylor of the International Crisis Observatory.

Adding fuel to the rumors are ongoing challenges inside the country. Food shortages, economic stagnation, and tighter sanctions enforcement have reportedly deepened internal stress. Some analysts believe that an eventual power transition — whether planned or forced — could be destabilizing for the regime and the region.

For now, Kim Jong-un remains in power, and the dynasty remains intact. But the persistent whisper of succession is no longer confined to backchannels. It is increasingly part of the open conversation among defectors, foreign intelligence services, and even North Korean watchers within China.

The question is no longer whether the regime is thinking about the future — but whether that future could come sooner than the world expects.