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In an intriguing development, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and his young daughter were seen firing pistols during a visit to a light munitions factory. Photographs released by state media on Thursday highlight Kim’s initiative to upgrade the nation’s conventional military capabilities after a prolonged emphasis on nuclear armament.
The Korean Central News Agency reported Thursday that Kim toured a facility specializing in the production of pistols and other light weaponry just the day before. During the visit, he examined a newly manufactured pistol model.
After putting the new firearm through its paces at a shooting range, Kim enthusiastically deemed it “excellent,” according to the agency.
While the agency’s written report did not mention Kim’s daughter, images revealed her participating in the shooting session alongside high-ranking military officials.
Kim emphasized the factory’s vital role in supplying the military and security forces with pistols and light arms. He called for increased production capacity and the integration of advanced manufacturing technologies, as reported by KCNA.
Since first appearing in public at a long-range missile test in November 2022, Kim’s daughter — believed to be named Kim Ju Ae and about 13 — has accompanied her father to a growing number of events, including military displays, factory openings and a September trip to Beijing, where Kim Jong Un held his first summit with Chinese leader 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.