HomeAUKim Jong Un's Impressive Small Arms Display: A Leather-Clad Showcase of North...

Kim Jong Un’s Impressive Small Arms Display: A Leather-Clad Showcase of North Korea’s Firepower

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North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and his teenage daughter fired pistols during an inspection of a light munitions factory, as he pushes to modernise conventional forces after years of focus on nuclear weapons.
North Korea’s official Korean Central News Agency said Kim visited a factory producing pistols and other light arms a day earlier and reviewed a new pistol that recently entered production.

In a recent demonstration at a shooting range, Kim Jong Un evaluated a new firearm, declaring it “excellent,” as reported by the state news agency. Although the agency’s text report didn’t mention her, accompanying photographs revealed Kim’s daughter wielding a pistol alongside top military leaders.

Kim Jong Un tries out a new pistol at a factory. (AP)
Kim’s daughter (centre) also took the new pistols for a spin at the range. (AP)

Kim emphasized the importance of the factory in producing pistols and other small arms for the military and security forces. He stressed the need for boosting production capabilities and implementing advanced manufacturing processes, according to KCNA.

Since her first public appearance at a long-range missile test in November 2022, Kim’s daughter, believed to be named Kim Ju Ae and around 13 years old, has increasingly accompanied her father to various events. These include military exhibitions, factory inaugurations, and a significant visit to Beijing in September, marking Kim Jong Un’s first summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping in six years.

Her frequent public appearances have led South Korean intelligence officials and analysts to speculate that Kim Jong Un might be grooming her as a successor, potentially continuing the family lineage into its fourth generation.

Kim Jong Un and his daughter took a tour of the factory in an undisclosed location. (AP)

Last month, state media featured the young girl testing a sniper rifle. This occurred as Kim showcased the weaponry to senior officials after a major party congress where he outlined his primary political and military objectives for the next five years.

The visit to the pistol factory followed an inspection on 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.

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