Kim Jong Un exhibited live multiple rocket launches to his adolescent daughter during South Korea’s military exercises, which North Korea perceives as a practice for invasion.
Accompanied by Kim Ju Ae, approximately 13 years old, Kim Jong Un observed a strike drill involving 12 600mm-calibre, ultraprecision rocket launchers on North Korea’s eastern coast. South Korea reported the detection of around 10 ballistic missiles launched from the Pyongyang region towards the eastern sea.
The young girl, speculated to be the potential successor in North Korea, walked near large olive-green launch trucks and witnessed the firing of weapons from them. Kim Ju Ae has been present at various prominent events alongside her father, including missile tests and military parades since late 2022, fueling speculation about her grooming as his heir.
Earlier this year, Kim Ju Ae took a prominent role by attending a military parade in the North Korean capital. She also witnessed her father’s ominous speech where he asserted the nuclear-armed nation’s capability to “completely destroy” its Southern counterpart.
Observers have highlighted the possibility of the teenager succeeding her father as a leader, noting her introduction in attire resembling his and increased presence at significant events. This development has not escaped the attention of those monitoring North Korea’s intricate political landscape.
According to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), Kim Jong Un stated that the recent drill aimed to instill “uneasiness” in enemies within a 260-mile striking range and demonstrate the destructive power of tactical nuclear weapons. He specifically referenced South Korea and U.S. troops stationed in the country.
Kim emphasized that the opponents’ military infrastructure within the weapon’s striking range would not survive its use. Experts have pointed out that North Korea’s large-size rocket launchers possess characteristics blurring the line between artillery systems and ballistic missiles due to their self-thrust capabilities and guidance during delivery.
North Korea has asserted that some of these systems can carry nuclear warheads, as reported by the Associated Press. The U.S.-South Korean Freedom Shield training, a computer-simulated command post exercise, is scheduled to continue through March 19. North Korea frequently responds to such exercises with its weapons tests and aggressive rhetoric.
