Dictator Father, Fashionista Daughter: Why Kim Jong Un's 12-Year-Old Is Making Headlines

April 24, 2025 – Pyongyang: While North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is globally known for his iron-fisted rule and authoritarian policies, his 12-year-old daughter Kim Ju Ae is capturing attention for a very different reason—her rising status as a fashion icon among North Korea’s elite children.

In a nation where expression is tightly controlled, Ju Ae’s stylish appearances in state media have sparked a fashion trend in elite educational institutions like the Musan Students and Children’s Palace in North Hamgyong Province. From flared jeans to leather jackets and designer boots, children of powerful families are enthusiastically mimicking her look.

“I feel like the leader’s daughter!” a young student was quoted as saying while flaunting an outfit inspired by Ju Ae’s latest appearance. Her images in state-run broadcasts have become templates for what’s "in vogue" among privileged North Korean kids.

A Symbol of Status in a Divided Society

The institutions where this fashion craze is booming are not for average citizens. These elite "children's palaces" are reserved for the sons and daughters of top-ranking officials and wealthy business families. The facilities offer premium extracurricular training in music, dance, arts, and science, where regulations are far more relaxed compared to public schools.

Ju Ae’s growing influence among this niche group highlights the vast disparity in opportunities and freedoms between elite children and the general population in North Korea. Her style is more than just trend-setting—it’s a subtle yet powerful indicator of social status.

Parental Worry Behind the Glamour

But behind the glitz lies growing concern. Imitating the ruling family’s style—even innocently—can be a politically sensitive act in North Korea. Parents are reportedly anxious that their children’s admiration for Ju Ae’s fashion could be misinterpreted as mimicry, which might attract unwanted attention from authorities.

So far, no punitive action has been reported against children of the elite attending these special institutions, as they are generally protected by their social position. However, for ordinary citizens, dressing like the leader’s daughter could have serious consequences.

No Freedom for the Common Child

Sources confirm that children from regular families would face strict penalties for attempting to imitate Ju Ae’s fashion, except on rare occasions like national holidays (e.g., April 15). While elite children enjoy freedom in attire and expression within their exclusive environments, the average North Korean child remains bound by rigid rules.

As Ju Ae continues to appear alongside her father at high-profile events, her presence is shaping more than just the future political narrative—it’s influencing a generation’s sense of identity, albeit within deeply unequal boundaries.