North Korea restricts citizens to have same name as Kim Jong Un’s daughter: Report

Authorities in North Korea are reportedly forcing girls and women who share the same name as Kim Jong Un’s daughter, Ju Ae, to change their name to something else, Radio Free Asia reported.

“The Ministry of Security in Jeongju City summoned women registered with the resident registration department under the name ‘Ju Ae’ to the Ministry of Safety to change their names,” a source was quoted by Radio Free Asia as saying.

The source added that a 12-year-old girl in their neighbourhood was named Ju Ae, and her parents were told to report to the Ministry of Safety to change her birth certificate.

Another source stated that the authorities said the name is now reserved for persons of “the highest dignity”.

In another part of the country, “the Pyongsong City Security Department issued an internal order from the central government to change the name of women who use the name ‘Ju-ae’ within a week,” reported Fox News.

Over the last few months, Ju Ae accompanies her father at important events, leading to a speculation that she might be next in line to lead the country.

North Korea has been prohibiting its people from using the same names that its leaders possess as part of the regime’s effort to encourage the public to revere its leaders, said South China Morning Post.

As per South China Morning Post, this practice dates back to the era of the regime’s founder Kim Il-sung, when people were banned from having the same name. Additionally, during the time of Kim Jong-il’s rule, those with the same name were also forced to change it.

After Kim Jong-un, came to power, the state forced people named Jong-un and Sol-ju, the name of his wife, to also change their names.