North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, accompanied by his teenage daughter, engaged in a hands-on inspection at a light munitions factory, as depicted in state media photos released on Thursday. This visit is part of Kim’s broader initiative to enhance conventional military capabilities, following years focused primarily on nuclear armament.
The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported that Kim toured a facility dedicated to the production of pistols and other light weaponry. During his visit, he evaluated a newly manufactured pistol that has recently been introduced into production.
After testing the firearm at a shooting range, Kim expressed his approval by describing it as “excellent,” according to the agency’s report.
Although the KCNA’s written report did not explicitly mention his daughter’s presence, photographs revealed her actively participating in the shooting exercise alongside high-ranking military officials.
Kim emphasized the factory’s vital role in equipping the military and security forces with pistols and other light arms. He urged an increase in production capacity and the adoption of more advanced manufacturing techniques, as reported by KCNA.
Since her public debut at a long-range missile test in November 2022, Kim’s daughter—believed to be Kim Ju Ae, around 13 years old—has increasingly accompanied him to numerous official functions. These include military demonstrations, factory inaugurations, and a notable visit to Beijing in September, marking Kim Jong Un’s first summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping in six years.
Her increasingly prominent public appearances have prompted South Korean intelligence officials and experts to assess that Kim Jong Un is likely grooming her as a future leader to extend the family dynasty into a fourth generation.
State media last month showed the girl testing a sniper rifle as Kim presented the weapons to senior officials following a ruling party congress where he issued his major political and military goals for the next five years.
The visit to the pistol factory followed an inspection Tuesday in which Kim and his daughter watched the test launch of what state media described as nuclear-capable cruise missiles from a naval destroyer as Kim called for speeding up the nuclear armament of his navy.
