SEOUL, South Korea
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has gifted new sniper rifles to top government and military officials following a major ruling party congress, as state media showcased images of his teenage daughter handling a weapon at a shooting range—the latest in a series of public appearances fueling speculation that she is being groomed as a future leader.
Kim presented the rifles to senior party and military officials on Friday, calling them a sign of his “absolute trust” and gratitude for their commitment over the past five years since the last Workers’ Party congress in 2021, the Korean Central News Agency reported Saturday.
State media photos captured the aftermath of the gift-giving: Kim Yo Jong, the leader’s powerful sister, and other top officials aiming the rifles at a shooting range.
In a striking image, Kim’s young daughter—dressed in a brown leather coat resembling her father’s iconic style—was seen handling the weapon as smoke rose from the barrel.
The teenager’s increasingly prominent appearances have drawn attention from outside observers, who view them as a sign that Kim may be preparing his daughter, believed to be named Kim Ju Ae, for a future leadership role.
The weeklong party congress also solidified the position of Kim Yo Jong, who in recent years has served as her brother’s fierce spokesperson toward Washington and Seoul.
According to the KCNA report, she now holds the title of general affairs director of the party’s central committee following a promotion—a role signaling broader oversight of the party’s internal operations and administrative affairs.
By James Kisoo
