For subscribers

Not impossible for patriarchal North Korea to have woman leader: Experts

Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, with his wife Ri Sol Ju and their daughter, on the day of the launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile in this undated photo released on Nov 19.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, with his wife Ri Sol Ju and their daughter, on the day of the launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile in this undated photo released on Nov 19.

PHOTO: REUTERS

Follow topic:

- With

the first public appearance of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s nine-year-old daughter

last week triggering speculation that she has been chosen as his successor, experts say it is too early to tell, but it is not impossible for the male-dominated country to have a woman in charge.

The Kim family has ruled the reclusive state from the beginning. Founder Kim Il Sung handed over power to his oldest son Kim Jong Il, who passed it on to his third son Jong Un.

See more on