Footage aired by North Korean state media is drawing attention after it showed Defense Minister No Kwang-chol briefly touching the back of Kim Ju-ae, the daughter of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, during an official site visit earlier this month.
The clip has fueled speculation inside and outside North Korea because physical contact with a ruling family member by a nonrelative is considered extremely rare under the regime’s rigid protocols.
Rare gesture raises questions about North Korean leadership protocol
North Korea-focused outlet Daily NK Japan revisited the footage in an article published Sunday, describing the gesture as potentially “disrespectful” given the country’s strict rules on how officials are expected to behave around the Kim family.
“Physical contact with a member of the ruling family by a nonrelative remains extremely rare in North Korea,” wrote Koh Young-ki, editor-in-chief of Daily NK Japan. “It could be regarded as disrespectful.”
The moment occurred during Jan. 5 site visit with Kim Ju-ae present
The footage came from a Jan. 5 inspection tour in which Kim Jong-un visited the construction site of the overseas military operations martyrs’ memorial, a monument honoring North Korean troops reportedly deployed to Russia.
During the event, Kim Ju-ae took part in a tree-planting ceremony alongside her father while holding a shovel. Kim’s wife Ri Sol-ju, his sister Kim Yo-jong, and Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui were also seen attending the event.
In the video, Kim Jong-un is seen working with a shovel while Kim Ju-ae stands behind him. At that moment, Defense Minister No approaches her, lightly taps her back twice, and gestures for her to step forward.
In the following scene, Ri Sol-ju steps closer to Kim Ju-ae, and the daughter later moves nearer to Kim Jong-un to join the tree-planting.
Analysts note Kim Jong-un is known for monitoring officials’ behavior
Commentators also pointed to North Korea’s long-standing reputation for enforcing strict discipline among senior officials.
Koh said Kim Jong-un is believed to review footage from official events and monitor the attitudes and conduct of high-ranking officials afterward.
“There have been numerous cases in the past in which officials were reportedly executed for inappropriate behavior, including falling asleep during meetings,” Koh said, adding that the gesture could affect No’s standing if internal censors view it as improper ahead of a party congress.
Kim Ju-ae’s growing public appearances continue to draw attention
Kim Ju-ae has increasingly appeared at major state events, fueling ongoing debate over whether she is being positioned as a future successor or as a symbolic figure for regime messaging.
Earlier this month, she again attracted attention during a New Year’s Day event, where she appeared alongside Kim Jong-un and Ri Sol-ju. During the event, Kim Ju-ae stood up and kissed Kim Jong-un on the cheek, prompting renewed discussion about her potential role in North Korea’s leadership succession.
BY SHIN HYE-YEON [paik.jihwan@joongang.co.kr]
