Kim Jong Un’s daughter, Kim Ju Ae, made a public appearance after two months, and her outfit has become a topic of discussion.
According to Radio Free Asia (RFA), Kim Ju Ae attended the completion ceremony of a new street in the northern part of Pyongyang with General-Secretary Kim Jong Un on May 14th. It was her first public appearance since attending a greenhouse operation ceremony in Kangdong earlier this March.
North Korean state media referred to Kim Ju Ae as “our beloved child.”
During the ceremony, Kim Ju Ae drew attention by wearing a see-through outfit that revealed her arms. It’s unusual for such attire to be worn in North Korea, where dress codes are strict.
In an interview with RFA, the Director of the Sejong Institute’s Korean Peninsula Strategy Center Jung Sung Jang, explained that it seems less like a carefully planned image from North Korean authorities and more like a freedom to choose her attire as a direct descendant of the Kim family.
He further added, “People like Ri Sol Ju or Kim Ju Ae can be more free from the existing constraints. These changes are shocking to the locals in North Korea and are influencing changes in attire in the country.”
Previously, Kim Ju Ae has been spotted wearing a kid’s hooded down jacket from the French luxury brand Christian Dior several times.
Regarding this, stylist Lauren A. Rothman referred to Kim Ju Ae’s outfit as legacy fashion in an interview with RFA last February. Legacy in English means inheritance, which can be interpreted as a succession of power.
Rothman said in an interview with RFA, “In the process of a girl in a white padded (winter) outfit changing into a dark jacket or coat, we could see aspects of what could be called legacy fashion,” and “We could also see how she is revealing her power through fashion.”
Meanwhile, Director Jung noted, “Kim Ju Ae’s public activities have increased to three out of six events this year, focusing on civilian matters.” He added, “Her activities are expanding beyond the military field.” He also analyzed, “The promotion of Kim Jong Un’s daughter, Kim Ju Ae, as a symbol of the future generation suggests that they are preparing her as a future successor.”
