Recent reports suggest North Korean authorities are forcing citizens with the same name as Kim Jong-un’s young daughter to change theirs to something else.
Very little is known about the “Supreme Leader’s” daughter, and news coming out of North Korea is notoriously unreliable. The girl’s name is assumed to be Kim Ju-ae, according to two anonymous sources who spoke to Radio Free Asia (RFA). The sources live in the North Pyongan and South Pyongan provinces of the country, RFA reported Feb. 10.
North Korean authorities have not officially announced what she is called, but sources have said the name Kim Ju-ae or Kim Joo-ae is widely known to residents by way of executives, according to RFA. She is believed to be around 10 or 12 years old, the outlet reported.
North Korean authorities “summoned women registered with the resident registration department under the name ‘Juae’ to the Ministry of Safety to change their names,” one anonymous source told RFA.
North Korean authorities are compelling girls and women to change their names if they’re called “Ju Ae” — the name of Kim Jong Un’s daughter, Radio Free Asia reported. https://t.co/Iw4CzwuhqU pic.twitter.com/aYCbZzjB8X
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“There was a 12-year-old girl named ‘Juae’ in the people’s unit where I live. The Ministry of Safety’s resident registration department called the girl’s parents to the Ministry of Safety and forced her to change her name and change her birth certificate,” the source added, according to the outlet.
Kim Ju-ae made a rare public appearance in early February, joining her father at an event to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Korean People’s Army, according to the South China Morning Post. Kim Ju-ae made the appearance after her father had disappeared for over a month, Fox reported. (RELATED: North Korea Decides It’s A Nuclear Power)
The alleged name ban comes as North Korea continues to posture about using “most overwhelming nuclear force” against the U.S. if purported provocations against the country persist, according to the outlet. Kim Ju-ae is anticipated to be the next leader of North Korea, according to the South China Morning Post.