14 February 2023 , 11:46
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The Kim family's cult of personality is arguably one of the most powerful ways they maintain their brutal repression of the North Korean population and have done so for the best part of 75 years.
In the absence of religion, biographies of North Korea's leaders have painted them as having near supernatural or superhuman qualities.
Strict penalties are still in place for anyone who criticises or fails to show an appropriate level of respect for the "eternal leaders", the current Kim's dad Kim Jong-il and grandfather Kim Il-sung.
His official biography says he was born in 1942 in a secret military camp of Baekdu Mountain, which now has near religious significance and acts as a pilgrimage spot for schoolchildren.
When he was brought into the world, his dad was said to be battling with the occupying Japanese forces, but official Soviet records say he was born in a refugee camp.
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The youngster appeared at a military banquet before an enormous parade of North Korea's most advanced weaponry (KCNA VIA KNS/AFP via Getty Image)The cult around him grew rapidly. He was said to be able to walk at three weeks and talking at eight weeks old.
During his three years at university, he was said to have written six operas and 1,500 books.
Later in life, Kim Jong-il managed to putt 11 holes in one the first time he stepped on the green and is a film-directing and architectural genius, according to the propaganda peddled about him.
Kim Jong-un's daughter Kim Ju-ae flanked by her dad and her mum (KCNA VIA KNS/AFP via Getty Image)The cult continued after Kim Jong-un's birth and looks like it has no plans to stop.
After 35 days out of the public eye, a rare photo of a dinner event showed Kim Jong-un surrounded by his loving family, with his daughter Kim Ju Ae sat between him and his wife Ri Sol Ju.
Kim Ju-ae would be the fourth generation of Kim to rule the isolated country should she take the reins after her father's death.
State-run media this week bestowed upon her the honorific of "respected" when commenting on the photo this week. The term is usually given to the leaders of the DPRK or their partners.
North Korea's Mount Paektu, the birthplace of Kim Jong-un's dad, has near-religious significance to the cult of Kim (AFP/Getty Images)The event they were attending was a military banquet for the 75th anniversary of the formation of the Korean People's Army (KPA).
It came before a massive parade in which Pyongyang showed off its military might, rolling its impressive arsenal of missiles through the streets of the capital, with the centrepiece being the world-ending Hwasong 17 Intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs).
Though it wasn't Kim Ju-ae's first public appearance, her central feature during a military event is important considering how sacred missiles are to the regime.
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Other observers commented on how Kim Jong Un's wife had draped a pendant of the Hwasong-17 around her neck, and how Kim Jue-ae jumped for joy, cheering as the missiles rolled past.
His sister Kim Yo-jong could also be his successor (Getty Images)The youngster is said to be only nine or ten years old. Not much is known about Kim Jong-un's several children, and she's the first to be featured in such a manner.
According to The Spectator, this may be Kim Jong-un's way of offering the world, the elites and the people of North Korea, an opportunity to get to know her.
But there could be another reason for her appearance... propaganda.
The cult of personality began with Kim Jong-il, the current Kim's dad (KCNA VIA KNS/AFP via Getty Image)Kim Ju-ae, who state media has dubbed Kim Jong-un's "most beloved" daughter, has only appeared during military parades and missile launches - which hold immense importance to the regime, and could help convince the public of their necessity to the regime.
Despite the rumours, one of the biggest roadblocks for Kim Ju-ae to take over would be North Korea's patriarchal society.
Kim Jong-un may want to break the previous traditions by allowing a woman to lead.
Women have held a number of senior positions in Pyongyang, including Kim Jong-un's sister, Kim Jo-yong, who is rising through the ranks and has also been suggested as his successor.