"Kim Jong Un" North Korea's supreme leader delivered a speech on International Women's Day, praising the role of women in the country as the "pillar of the revolution," describing them as physically weak but possessing strong spirits. He appeared alongside Kim Ju-ae, his daughter widely viewed as the next heir apparent.
North Korea's state news agency, KCNA, reported that Kim Jong Un praised North Korean women as having a crucial role in the nation's security during celebrations held in Pyongyang for International Women's Day.
In an English-language statement, Kim said that contemporary women have become the "strong pillar of the revolution," emphasizing their efforts and sacrifices: "Though they may appear physically weak, they have a clearly determined spirit. Their simple faces conceal courage, and the wrinkles on their faces are marks of their hard work."
At the event, Kim appeared with his wife, Ri Sol-ju, and daughter Kim Ju-ae. Photos released by KCNA showed Ju-ae sitting beside her father, holding his hand, a gesture analysts interpret as reinforcing her image as North Korea's power successor.
Also attending were senior party officials and foreign diplomats who watched performances following the speech. State media said Kim's speech received "thunderous applause" from an audience filled with enthusiasm.
Although KCNA did not directly name Kim Ju-ae, referring to her only as the "beloved daughter," this aligns with South Korean intelligence reports that Pyongyang has officially begun positioning Ju-ae as Kim Jong Un's successor.
This recent appearance follows Ju-ae's visit to a shooting range late last month, where state media showed her aiming a rifle steadily through a scope, reflecting the cultivation of the "Paektu" bloodline ideology the Kim family has used to firmly rule North Korea for decades.
,AFP