Kim Ju-ae has attended another public event with her father.
08:30, Sat, Feb 28, 2026 Updated: 08:37, Sat, Feb 28, 2026
Kim Jong-un's daughter fires rifle as North Korea releases rare photo (Image: KCNA VIA KNS/AFP via Getty Image)
North Korea has released a rare photo of Kim Jong-Un's daughter, fuelling speculation she has been chosen as his successor. The photo is unprecedented, as Kim Ju-Ae - believed to be 13 - is pictured alone, shooting a new rifle model that was given as a gift to military leaders.
Wearing a brown leather jacket, she can be seen looking through the viewfinder and aiming and firing the gun, in a photo released by the state-run Korean Central News Agency. It was taken at the Party Central Committee headquarters, where Kim Jong-Un met with military leaders to hand out a new generation sniper rifle, which he described as "special presents" for their commitment to the country.
Kim Jong-Un handed out new sniper rifles (Image: KCNA VIA KNS/AFP via Getty Image)
He said: “As was already made public, this new-generation sniper’s rifle our Academy of Defence Science developed and produced is really a wonderful weapon.
“These presents represent my appraisal of your extraordinary devotion for the country and the people and an expression of my absolute trust in you.
“I hope that you will, in the future too, discharge your official duties in a responsible manner for the victorious advance of our cause.”
State media said the individuals who were given the rifles made a pledge of "single-minded loyalty to add glory to their worthwhile life as the very loyalists who support and defend the country”.
It is her second major appearance in a week with her father, having attended North Korea’s ninth party congress, which ran from February 19 to 25 in Pyongyang.
Kim Ju-ae appeared to take part in a practice shooting session (Image: KCNA VIA KNS/AFP via Getty Image)
It is the country’s most important political event, which is held every five years, where topics such as foreign policy, war planning and nuclear ambitions are discussed.
Kim Ju-ae, who is the only known child of Kim Jong Un and his wife, Ri Sol Ju, has been photographed at an increasing number of events alongside her father.
South Korea's National Intelligence Service (NIS) claimed that she had been designated as her father's successor earlier this month, after taking a "range of circumstances" into account.
The day's biggest headlines in UK and World news Invalid email
We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our Privacy Policy
On February 12, lawmaker Lee Seong-kwen told reporters: "As Kim Ju Ae has shown her presence at various events, including the founding anniversary of the Korean People's Army and her visit to the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun, and signs have been detected of her voicing her opinion on certain state policies, the NIS believes she has now entered the stage of being designated as successor."
3 hours ago
2
English (US) · 