"Rachel Minyoung Lee, regional issues manager at the Vienna-based Open Nuclear Network, said the ways state media has referred to Ju Ae over time are noteworthy, but it's too early to read anything about succession into it. 'At this point I remain skeptical, just because succession is a brutal power game, one that requires a lot of balancing act and therefore cautious handling in North Korean media,' said Lee, who added Ju Ae's appearances have a powerful propaganda effect on several fronts, including reinforcing the importance of weapons development and production for the security of future generations."
