Kim Jong Un and his teenage daughter fired pistols during an inspection of a light munitions factory in North Korea, state media photos showed Thursday, as the leader continued to push for modernization of conventional forces. The visit, according to North Korea’s Korean Central News Agency, took place a day earlier and included a weapons-review segment in which Kim examined a pistol that had recently entered production.
After testing the weapon at a shooting range, Kim rated the new pistol “excellent,” KCNA said. The agency did not mention Kim’s daughter in its accompanying text report, but photos released by state media showed her firing alongside Kim and senior military officials.
KCNA also said Kim told factory personnel that the plant was crucial for supplying pistols and other light arms to the military and security forces. KCNA reported that he urged expanded capacity and more modern production lines.
Kim’s daughter has accompanied him to an increasing number of public events since first appearing in public at a long-range missile test in November 2022. Observers have described her as being about 13 years old and believed to be named Kim Ju Ae, and state media has shown her attending military displays and factory openings as well as a September trip to Beijing, where Kim met Chinese leader Xi Jinping for the first time in six years.
The latest weapons test comes after a Tuesday inspection, in which Kim and his daughter watched test launches of cruise missiles described by state media as nuclear-capable. KCNA reported that Kim called for speeding up the nuclear armament of North Korea’s navy following that inspection.
South Korea’s intelligence officials and experts have previously said Kim Jong Un is likely grooming Kim Ju Ae to extend the family dynasty into a fourth generation, a view that has been prompted in part by her growing presence in state media coverage.