South Korean Legislator Says Kim Jong-un Has Three Children

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North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and his son Kim Ju-ae. Photo/Sky News

SEOUL – South Korean lawmakers, citing intelligence officials, said that North Korea could hold large-scale military exercises and test a new intercontinental ballistic missile in March or April.

He also mentioned that the North Korean leader, Kim Jong-un, has three children.

“North Korean leader Kim Jong-un’s first child is believed to be a boy, and the leader also has a third child whose gender is unknown,” the lawmaker said after being briefed by the National Intelligence Service (NIS).

“His son has yet to appear in public,” NIS said as quoted by AsiaOne, Wednesday (8/3/2023).

Kim Jong-un’s daughter, identified as Kim Ju-ae, has been seen in public with the leader several times in recent months. His appearance sparked speculation that he was being groomed to become the next leader of North Korea.

“But the agency (South Korea’s intelligence agency) believes the most likely explanation behind his daughter’s recent series of public appearances is that Kim Jong-un wants to prove the legitimacy of the regime’s fourth-generation succession,” the South Korean lawmaker said.

Regarding North Korea’s food situation, the NIS linked it to the country’s grain policy, distribution issues, and the Covid-19 situation. But the agency added the situation was not severe enough to be considered a threat to the regime, citing a report that the country faced an annual rice shortage of 800,000 tonnes.

(ian)