Kim Jong-un's daughter in rare public appearance to watch missile test with dad

19 December 2023 , 18:16

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North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un pictured with his daughter at a test missile launch (Image: KCNA VIA KNS/AFP via Getty Image)

Kim Jong-un’s daughter tagged along with her father to watch a ballistic missile test, while sporting a pink fluffy coat.

The dictator’s daughter joined her father for the staged viewing, raising questions about the line of succession in North Korea. On Monday morning of this week, the despot watched over Hwasong-18 intercontinental ballistic missiles being fired from a weapons site.

But he wasn’t alone, he was joined by his ten-year-old daughter Kim Ju-Ae who shook the hands of officials, and was seated beside her father, sporting the pink coat. Her presence was prominent throughout and reported in the country's state media.

Kim Ju-Ae’s public presence has persisted in the last year. On November 18 last year, she was at another missile test, raising questions if she was being groomed to take over from her father. This marked the third test of one of North Korea’s most advanced missile systems - which they claim could reach the US, Seoul, and Tokyo.

This marks the third test of the ballistic intercontinental missiles - which are claimed to be capable of reaching the US (AP)

ABC News reported that Seoul's Unification Minister Kim Yung Ho, during a press briefing with foreign press, said: "This administration does not rule out the possibility that Kim Ju Ae may become the next North Korean leader. North Korea's continued emphasis on Kim Ju Ae is proof that they are in a bit of a hurry to publicise the regime's hereditary succession. As the level of protocol for Kim Ju-ae continues to rise, military commanders were also spotted saluting Kim Ju Ae."

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After being launched, the Hwasong-18 missile flew for over 1,000 kilometres for almost 74 minutes before landing in the sea off North Korea’s east coast. This marked the third launch of the missile, with the two previous taking place in April and July of this year.

North Korea’s leader threatened "more offensive actions", the country’s state media reported the day after the launch. The official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said the despot said he would "never overlook all the reckless and irresponsible military threats of the enemies and to strongly counter them with more offensive actions."

The dictator's daughter sported a pink coat to the missile launch (KCNA VIA KNS/AFP via Getty Image)

Japan, South Korea and the US all condemned the launch as a blatant violation of UN Security Council resolutions. Pyongyang has carried out a record-breaking number of tests of banned weapons this year. They have repeatedly and flagrantly ignored a UN ban on testing ballistic missiles.

Kieren Williams