North Korea has released rare images of "Kim Ju-ae," the teenage daughter of Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un, firing a rifle at a shooting range, rekindling speculation that she is being groomed as a future successor.
North Korea's official news agency, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), published the images on 28 Feb 2024 GMT+7, showing Kim Ju-ae aiming a scoped rifle with her finger on the trigger and smoke emerging from the barrel, clearly projecting a military role.
Previously, Kim Ju-ae appeared at several major national events, including military parades held during the quinquennial Workers' Party of Korea congress, with analysts viewing her public appearances as politically significant.
In the latest photos, she wears a leather jacket—a style commonly seen on both her and her father during key political events—symbolizing power and legitimate leadership.
KCNA reported that on this occasion, Kim Jong Un presented a new sniper rifle to senior party and military officials, describing it as a true symbol of trust before proceeding to the shooting range for a group photo. However, the report did not specifically mention Kim Ju-ae.
Earlier this month, South Korean intelligence indicated that Pyongyang appears to have begun officially positioning Kim Ju-ae as the heir apparent.
Yang Moo-jin, former head of North Korean studies at a Seoul university, commented that the images of Kim Ju-ae handling and firing weapons reflect her genuine political heir training.
Meanwhile, KCNA also reported that Kim Yo-jong, Kim Jong Un's influential sister, will assume the role of head of the party's general affairs department, which analysts consider equivalent to party secretary.
The Kim family has ruled North Korea for decades; thus, images of Kim Ju-ae in military and weapons roles are seen as a significant step in the country's succession process amid its status as a heavily nuclear-armed and highly isolated state.
. Source:channelnewsasia
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