Kim Jong-un reappeared with his daughter at a public event

north korean dictator Kim Jong Unreappeared publicly with his daughter in a photo shoot published this Sunday by state media on the occasion of the inauguration of a new street in Pyongyang.

Kim attended the ceremony in the Sopho area of ​​Pyongyang on Saturday, with his daughter, whom he officially no name or age has been released (although it is believed that she might be called Kim Ju-ae), to inaugurate a project to build some 4,100 housing units in the north of the city, the North Korean state agency said on Sunday, KCNA.

In the footage, you can see the North Korean leader cheering with his daughter, as well as various members of his government, yet another example of how Kim Ju-ae would gain a greater presence in public life during important acts of the regime.

There growing presence of Kim’s daughter on important occasions as this 75th anniversary of the founding of the North Korean military has sparked speculation about its intentions.

The young woman appeared in state media for the first time on November 19when he accompanies his father to witness the testing of an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM).

Also appeared with his father at an honorary football game and, before, during a large military parade in the capital, Pyongyangwhen troops deployed more than a dozen intercontinental ballistic missiles, an unprecedented number that underscored how Kim continues to expand his military capabilities despite limited resources, while diplomacy remains at a standstill.

Before the parade, Kim Ju Ae also joined her father on a visit to the troops, where she sat in the seat of honor at a banquet, flanked by her parents and generals. She also appears alongside her father on several new postage stamps issued to commemorate November’s ICBM test, which the North described as a success.

North Korean media rarely release information about the close relatives of the Kim dynasty, which has ruled the country with an iron fist since the 1940s, and the girl had so far been no exception, as propaganda had never even acknowledged his identity before existence.

Her presence in the regime’s propaganda has sparked all sorts of speculation that Kim Jong-un may designate her as his successor, although a majority of experts believe it is too early to say anything and that the regime might just want to portray the leader as a family man.

Analysts say Kim Ju-ae’s appearances at major events related to the country’s military are his father’s way of reminding the world that he will never voluntarily give up his nuclear weapons and missiles, that he clearly regards it as the best guarantee of his survival and the continuation of his family’s dynastic rule. His significant exposure in state media could also be aimed at bolstering internal loyalty to the Kim family and preparing for a future handover of hereditary power.

While North Korean state media’s resounding descriptions of Kim Ju Ae as “beloved” and “respected” have fueled speculation that she is groomed as a future leader, South Korea’s minister of health Unification, Kwon Youngse, played down this possibility during a parliamentary meeting. session on Wednesday.

Kwon, Seoul’s top official on North Korea, said Kim Jong Un’s relatively young age – believed to be 39 – and North Korea’s male-dominated power hierarchy make it doubtful Kim Ju-ae be prepared to succeed him.

(With information from EFE and AP)

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