South Korea trying to learn if Kim Jong Un has a son but daughter’s status as heir appears solid

South Korea’s National Intelligence Service said it is trying to determine if North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has an older son while reaffirming its assessment that his daughter is the likely heir to the nation’s leadership.

The spy agency’s statement on Thursday was likely a response to a recent media report that South Korean intelligence authorities have determined Kim has no son with his wife, Ri Sol Ju. The NIS said that even if a son exists, he is not in a position to become the successor to Kim, who took the reins of North Korea’s government after the 2011 death of his father.

Kim’s daughter, who is reportedly named Kim Ju Ae and around 13, is likely in line to take over leadership of North Korea from her father, the agency has previously said.

The NIS said it was still attempting to verify whether Kim’s daughter has an elder brother, but under the current circumstance he cannot be his father’s heir even if he exists. The agency said Kim Jong Un also has a younger child whose gender has not been confirmed.

The statement Thursday didn’t elaborate on the NIS assessment about Kim Ju Ae’s solid political status.

Original source: https://www.nbcnews.com/world