Kim Jong Un’s daughter drives tank in latest public appearance

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s teenage daughter, Kim Ju Ae, took the driver’s seat of an army tank while her father stood behind her, prompting analysts to speculate that she may be preparing for a future leadership role.

The pair participated in military exercises at the 60th training base of the Capital Defence Corps of the Korean People’s Army. Footage from March 19 captured Kim Jong Un standing atop a next-generation tank bearing the North Korean flag, with his daughter beside him.

Kim Jong Un stated that the combat capabilities of North Korea’s main battle tank are incomparably superior and that, moving forward, the ground forces would be extensively equipped with these new tanks, allowing the armoured forces to advance to a higher level.

North Korean media reported that Kim described the tank as a “proud result of the strategic intention of the Party Central Committee,” highlighting that the development of its key technologies took roughly seven years.

During the visit, Kim Jong Un observed tactical exercises involving infantry and tank units conducting joint offensives. The manoeuvres included special forces, a tank company of a cavalry regiment, and armoured units from the operational reserve group of the General Staff.

By Jeyhun Aghazada