It might come as a surprise, but a sniper rifle is now an unexpected addition to a teenager’s wish list. This unusual gift was given by none other than North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to his 13-year-old daughter, Kim Ju Ae. Speculation is rife that this gesture is part of grooming her to eventually take over the reins of the country.

Recently, Kim Jong Un was photographed with his daughter during a significant event where he distributed new sniper rifles to high-ranking government and military officials. This took place at the conclusion of a weeklong party congress that highlighted his leadership achievements.

Kim Ju Ae, who is thought to be between 12 and 14 years old, was captured in images peering through the sight of a sniper rifle. Her increasing public presence is adding fuel to the rumors that she might be poised to become North Korea’s future leader.

The North Korean leader described the rifles as symbols of his ‘absolute trust’ and appreciation for the officials’ dedication over the past five years, since the last Workers’ Party congress in 2021, according to the official Korean Central News Agency.

In related developments, it was announced that Kim’s influential sister, Kim Yo Jong, who has been a formidable voice against Washington and Seoul, has assumed the role of general affairs director of the party’s central committee following her recent promotion at the congress.

The report also confirmed that Kim’s powerful sister, Kim Yo Jong – who in recent years has served as his fierce spokesperson toward Washington and Seoul – now serves as the general affairs director of the party’s central committee following a promotion at the congress. 

Her new title signals a broader role overseeing the party’s internal operations and administrative affairs.

State media photos showed Kim Yo Jong and other top officials aiming the rifles handed out by Kim Jong Un at a shooting range. 

North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un’s daughter, Kim Ju Ae, pulls the trigger on a sniper rifle

The despot gifted the new sniper rifles to top government and military officials following a weeklong ruling party congress celebrating his leadership

North Korean soldiers salute their leader during military a parade in Pyongyang on Friday

The dictator’s teenage daughter, who was wearing a brown leather coat similar to her father’s, was pictured looking down the firing range with binoculars and handling a sniper rifle as smoke rose from the barrel.

Ju Ae made her first public appearance at a long-range missile test in November 2022. 

She has accompanied her father to a growing number of events, including military demonstrations, factory openings and a trip to Beijing in September, where Kim Jong Un held his first summit with Chinese leader Xi Jinping in six years.  

The party congress, which concluded on Wednesday in Pyongyang after seven days, is North Korea’s most significant political event. 

Held every five years since 2016, it is a carefully choreographed spectacle glorifying Kim’s leadership before thousands of delegates.

At this year’s meetings, Kim doubled down on his plans to accelerate North Korea’s nuclear arsenal, which already is equipped with various weapons systems threatening the United States and its allies in Asia, and confirmed his tough view of rival South Korea.

But he also left the door open for dialogue with the US, reiterating Pyongyang’s earlier stance calling for Washington to abandon demands for the North Korea’s nuclear disarmament as a precondition for resuming long-stalled talks. 

South Korean officials and experts closely monitored the congress for signs Kim was preparing to extend the family’s dynastic rule to a fourth generation by cementing his daughter as successor. 

Ju Ae’s appearance comes amid speculation the North Korean leader is lining her up as his successor

The teenager made her first public appearance at a long-range missile test in November 2022

Top government and military officials carrying cases which appeared to be containing the new sniper rifles

Kim Jong Un and his heir-apparent daughter were pictured in matching outfits as they sang along with performers at a military parade marking the 9th Congress of the Workers’ Party of Korea earlier this month

Earlier this month, South Korea’s spy agency said it assessed Kim Jong Un was close to designating her as heir.

She was not seen at party meetings during the congress but shared center stage with her father at a military parade on Wednesday night marking its conclusion.

Despite speculation she might receive a formal party post at the congress, state media reports indicated no such move and party rules require members to be at least 18 years old.

Some experts say if Kim Jong Un sought to use the congress to solidify his daughter as successor, the signals would likely be subtle, such as self-congratulatory statements about North Korea’s survival and crediting that endurance to the successful inheritance of the socialist cause.

In a report assessing the congress on Thursday, North Korean state media said the meetings ‘laid a solid foundation for the sacred effort to ensure and realise the glorious succession and development of our party’.