North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and daughter's cheek kiss sparks "unusual" debate - What's really going on?

Imagine this: It's New Year's in Pyongyang, music's playing in the background, and suddenly North Korean leader Kim Jong-un gets a sweet cheek kiss from his daughter Kim Ju-ae - right in front of everyone. Sounds like a heartwarming father-daughter moment, right? But, apparently, this particular moment has sparked debates online with many calling their body language a bit inappropriate, especially for a father-daughter duo.

According to Japan's Daily NK Japan, it is straight-up "unusual" and even "strange." The Tokyo outlet tracking North Korean news recently published an article asking: "Is this a normal father-daughter relationship?" Here's what really happened that brought Kim Jong-un and his daughter in the spotlight, but for all the wrong reasons this time.




The viral New Year's moment

The footage aired on Korean Central Television during a festive 2026 countdown celebration. The North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's daughter Kim Ju-ae, who is believed to be around 12-13 years old, sat between her dad and mom Ri Sol-ju. According to the report, during the event, Kim Ju-ae held her father's hand and whispered to him. But as the clock struck midnight vibes, Ju-ae stood up, cupped her father's face, and planted a kiss on his cheek-- a moment which caught people's attention. While Kim Jong-un smiled.

Commenting on this particular incident, Daily NK Japan wrote that the father-daughter duo showed "Excessive physical contact throughout the event." They even noted nearby officials looking awkward - averting eyes, shifting uncomfortably. In a country where public displays of affection are rare (especially from the secretive Kim family), this felt is bit extra and uncomfortable to people.



Not the first time that Kim Jong-un and his daughter made the headlines

This isn't the first time that such an incident happened and hit headlines. The outlet also noted that in December 2024, during a hotel opening ceremony, the father and daughter stood super close - "like a couple," as per South Korean media Sand Times. North Korean rumours reportedly called it "disgusting" and way beyond normal dad-daughter boundaries.

Connecting the dots, Daily NK Japan further wrote: These moments go viral because they clash with North Korea's rigid, controlled image. Ju-ae's been Kim's public aide since 2022, be it during missile tests or military parades - thus fueling rumours about her being Kim Jong-un's "successor". But the physical closeness? That's raising eyebrows globally.



What's the real story behind the closeness?

A few theories that have been doing the rounds about the father-daughter's unusual closeness at public events are:

1. Succession signalling: With Kim Ju-ae being seen at most events with her father, it seems she is being groomed to be the next-gen leader. This is being speculated as she is also seen more in public than any of her siblings.

2. Image softening: Such moments humanise the Kims in the public eye, showing a "loving family" to counter dictator stereotypes.

Meanwhile, Daily NK Japan says that the real reason is deeper, "distortions and anxieties" baked into North Korea's system. The Kims live in a bubble, seemingly blind to how their behaviour is being perceived by others.

What do you think, was this a sweet or strange gesture? Share your views in the comment section below.