South Korea's state news agency said it had "identified" the successor to the next North Korean leader, suggesting the choice was not final.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is grooming his daughter Ju Ae to succeed him, two lawmakers in the National Assembly quoted South Korea's spy agency as saying Monday.
The lawmakers said the choice may not be "final" and that Kim Jong Un could choose someone else to inherit power.
The National Intelligence Service (NIS) has submitted a report to the parliamentary intelligence committee, saying North Korea has hinted that Ju Ae is a strong candidate to succeed her father by adjusting the frequency of her public appearances to gauge public sentiment, the agency said.
The agency said it expects Ju Ae to be groomed to succeed her father by studying the terms North Korea uses when talking about her, how often she has appeared in public and on what occasions, according to the lawmakers, according to Yonhap News Agency.
Hyangdo, Jo Ae
The NIS said that about 60 percent of Jo Ae's public activities in the past were related to accompanying her father on military occasions and some related to the economy, but North Korea's use of the word "hyangdo" to refer to her, which means "guide," indicates that she is on her way to becoming the next leader.
"Hyangdo" is used to mean lighting the way forward in revolutionary battles, and is used for leaders or their successors, Lee explained.
However, the NIS said it does not rule out the possibility that Kim will choose someone else to be his successor, since his other sons could also emerge, or because North Korea has not yet finalized who his successor will be.
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