Additional Coverage:
Kim Jong Un and Daughter Take a Joyride in a Tank, Fueling Succession Speculation
SEOUL, South Korea – North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and his teenage daughter were once again in the spotlight, this time photographed riding together in a tank, according to state media reports released Friday. This latest public appearance follows a busy week for the duo, who were previously seen observing rocket launches and even firing pistols.
The official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported that Kim Jong Un supervised various drills on Thursday, involving both tank units and infantry troops. He reportedly emphasized the importance of completing war preparations.
Images released by KCNA show Kim and his daughter, both sporting matching black leather jackets, inside an olive-green tank alongside other soldiers during the training exercise. One particularly striking photo captures the girl peeking her head out of the tank’s hatch, while Kim is seen smiling broadly atop the vehicle.
The girl, believed to be named Kim Ju Ae and approximately 13 years old, has been a frequent presence at significant military and other public events since late 2022. Her consistent high-profile appearances have led to considerable outside speculation that she is being groomed as her father’s successor. North Korean state media has consistently referred to her as Kim Jong Un’s “most beloved” or “respected” child, often publishing photos and footage highlighting their close bond.
Just last week, the father-daughter pair was seen firing pistols during a visit to a light munitions factory and witnessing a live-fire test of multiple rocket launch systems. Prior to that, in September, the girl reportedly accompanied her father to Beijing, and during New Year’s Day celebrations, she was photographed kissing him on the cheek.
South Korea’s intelligence agency recently suggested that Kim Jong Un is close to officially naming her as his heir. However, not all experts agree with this assessment, citing factors such as Kim Jong Un’s relatively young age and the deeply entrenched male-dominated power structure within North Korea.