00:00North Korean leader Kim Jong-un rolled into Beijing Tuesday on his armored train with a surprising passenger, his 12-year-old daughter Kim Jue.
00:09It's their first joint appearance on the world stage, timed with a massive military parade marking 80 years since the end of World War II.
00:20China is hosting leaders from more than 20 nations, including Russia's Vladimir Putin.
00:25But much of the attention is on the young girl standing beside her father as China's foreign minister welcomed them.
00:32Since her public debut in 2022, Kim Jue has been a fixture in North Korean state media, described as the most beloved daughter and often featured at weapons tests, parades, even diplomatic events.
00:46Analysts say this is no accident. They believe Kim is grooming his daughter as a potential successor.
00:51A message reinforced when generals were photographed kneeling before her, a gesture once reserved for her father.
00:58Her image has shifted, too, from childlike jackets to tailored suits, projecting a carefully crafted air of maturity and authority.
01:07The question of succession matters. The Kim family has ruled North Korea since 1948, making it the only communist dynasty in the world.
01:15With Kim Jong-un facing reported health issues, observers say elevating his daughter now could help ensure the continuity of the regime.
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