25 December 2023 , 20:23
714
0
Experts believe a hidden clue in a photo of Kim Jong-un has exposed his plans for the future of North Korea, in what has been described as an "unprecedented move."
At first, the photo doesn't seem unusual, showing the dictator and his daughter, Kim Ju-ae, visiting a regime air force base. However, she's unusually photographed standing in front of him, partially obscuring the camera’s view of his left side.
According to The Chosun Ilbo, a newspaper in neighbouring South Korea, it was an “unprecedented” move that pointed to her being Kim’s heir apparent. The article said: "Ju-ae has appeared in many photos in the state media and always appeared either next to or behind her father, but in this picture she is the main character. It is unprecedented in the status-obsessed North to publish a photo with Kim Jong-un in the background."
The photo in question raised questions as blocking the camera’s view of Kim Jong-un is a major taboo in North Korea. In 2019, the dictator’s personal photographer was fired over the faux pas, according to another South Korean newspaper, Daily NK.
His camera flash had momentarily obscured the view of Kim Jong-un’s neck for TV audiences - an offence considered "damaging" to his "supreme dignity." Experts agree that depicting Kim Ju-ae this way is proof of her special status.
North Korea students get frostbite after 'patriotic' subzero mountain march
However, this was not a one-off photo. Another image from the same set, shows the duo from behind, with his daughter once more in the foreground as they watch an aerial display. It’s one of several clues that’s led South Korea’s National Intelligence Service to believe she’s being groomed for power.
Another giveaway is the way she’s being referred to in regime propaganda. According to reports, she’s been dubbed the "Morning Star General" and has gone from being a "beloved" child to a "respected" child.
Mr Madden – a fellow of the Stimson Center in Washington DC – said the photo wasn’t definitive proof, however, and that Kim Jong-un had stood back in pictures before. (KCNA VIA KNS/AFP via Getty Image)Cho Tae-yong, director of South Korea’s National Security Office, is among those now convinced. He told KBS: "Looking at what has been said so far, I think we should now consider Kim Ju-ae as the successor and verify it."
Meanwhile, Unification Minister Kim Yung-ho noted the “escalating level of protocol” around the girl, and said: "If we look at these things, we cannot rule out the possibility of her succession to power, given that they are putting her on the main stage so early."
Michael Madden, founder of North Korea Leadership Watch, explained the significance of the newly-published picture.
He said: "Kim Ju-ae standing in the foreground of the photo ahead of Kim Jong-un is certainly notable and extraordinary.
"We are accustomed to seeing North Korean officials and close aides paying Kim Jong-un a high degree of deference by giving him space and staying a few paces removed. So we can say with some precision that the positioning in this photograph indicates that the daughter is a figure worthy of respect."
Mr Madden – a fellow of the Stimson Center in Washington DC – said the photo wasn’t definitive proof, however, and that Kim Jong-un had stood back in pictures before. He said: "In 2014, Kim Jong-un was photographed taking notes from a factory manager with other officials during a visit to a defence industry plant.”
Nonetheless, the analyst believes there’s a push within the country to show Kim Ju-ae as a special figure, citing sources in the country with access to ideological indoctrination materials. He said: "Early internal publicity efforts in support of the ‘respected daughter’ as a special elite figure are under way.”
But he still thinks her role is more akin to that of a first lady. He said: "This does not preclude her being Kim Jong-un’s successor, but would more accurately describe the role she is currently playing in North Korean politics."