Speculation swirls around North Korea leader Kim’s daughter after prominent appearance: Is she his successor?

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North Korea’s Kim Jong Un seen with 10-year-old daughter at military parade

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un was seen Feb. 9, 2023, with his 10-year-old daughter Kim Ju Ae during a high-profile military parade. (KRT via Reuters)

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has showed an unprecedented interest in introducing his daughter to the public, prompting questions of a possible future succession plan.

Kim Ju Ae, the young daughter of Kim Jong Un, has taken a prominent public role in recent weeks. The girl has been photographed extensively alongside her father attending parades, dining with the top brass and touring military facilities.

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Kim Ju Ae, daughter of Kim Jong Un, attends a military parade in Pyongyang, North Korea, on Feb. 8, 2023. (Korean Central News Agency/Korea News Service via AP, File)

The government-run Korea Stamp Corporation revealed Tuesday a postage stamp collection celebrating the nation’s Nov. 18 missile launch.

Kim Ju Ae is featured prominently in several photos of the collection, marking her first official appearance on North Korean postage.

NORTH KOREA ORDERS RESIDENTS WITH SAME NAME AS KIM JONG UN’S DAUGHTER TO CHANGE IT: REPORT

Kim Jong Un and Kim Ju Ae mark the 75th anniversary of the Korean People’s Army on Kim Il Sung Square in Pyongyang, North Korea, Feb. 8, 2023. (Korean Central News Agency/Korea News Service via AP, File)

Kim Ju Ae is believed to be approximately 10 years old. 

It’s too soon to know whether Kim Jong Un is grooming his daughter to replace him as leader, South Korean experts say. 

KIM JON UN BRINGS DAUGHTER ON TOUR OF NORTH KOREA IN HIS FIRST PUBLIC APPEARANCE IN WEEKS

Kim Jong Un, his wife Ri Sol Ju, left, and his daughter pose with military top officials on Feb. 7, 2023. (Korean Central News Agency/Korea News Service via AP)

While her rise in public prominence shows a desire to familiarize Ju Ae with the nation, a female leader would be unprecedented in North Korean history.

Regardless, the government has taken proactive steps to raise the girl’s profile and increase public awareness.

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While her rise in public prominence shows a desire to familiarize Ju Ae with the nation, a female leader would be unprecedented in North Korean history. (Korean Central News Agency/Korea News Service via AP)

North Korean authorities are reportedly forcing residents who share the same name as Ju Ae to change it.

“The Ministry of Safety’s resident registration department called the girl’s parents to the Ministry of Safety and forced her to change her name and change her birth certificate,” the source told Radio Free Asia. 

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In another part of the country, “the Pyongsong City Security Department issued an internal order from the central government to change the name of women who use the name ‘Ju-ae’ within a week,” another source told the website. 

Timothy Nerozzi is a writer for Fox News Digital. You can follow him on Twitter @timothynerozzi and can email him at timothy.nerozzi@fox.com