North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s teenage daughter has been seen driving a tank during military exercises, an appearance that intensifies speculation she is being prepared as her father's successor.
State media, the official Korean Central News Agency, reported on Friday that Kim supervised a drill of a new type of tank, which demonstrated superior offensive and defensive capabilities against drones and anti-tank missiles.
He reportedly urged the completion of war preparations.
Footage and photographs released by Pyongyang showed the young girl peering from the driver’s hatch of a moving, olive green tank, while her father smiled from atop the vehicle alongside three soldiers.
Analysts suggest this marks her first such public activity, clearly indicating she was in control of the armoured vehicle.
However, experts note that modern tanks are not technically complex to operate, particularly at low speeds.
Lee Illwoo, an expert with the Korea Defense Network in South Korea, commented: "She only drove straight at a low speed. It's also easy to drive modern tanks, and I think it was easier for her to drive as she was on a flat ground."
The girl, reportedly named Kim Ju Ae and aged about 13, has accompanied her father to a number of high-profile military and other events since late 2022.
North Korean state media has called her Kim Jong Un’s “most beloved” or “respected” child and published footage and photos indicating the two's closeness.
They recently fired pistols during a visit to a light munitions factory and watched a live-fire test of multiple rocket launch systems.
In September, the girl went to Beijing with her father. During New Years’ Day celebrations she kissed him on the cheek.
South Korea’s spy agency assessed last month Kim Jong Un was close to designating her as his heir. Some experts disagree with that assessment, citing Kim Jong Un’s relatively young age and the extremely male-dominated nature of North Korea’s power hierarchy.
The North Korean training, meanwhile, came as the US and South Korea were engaged in their annual military exercises that North Korea views as an invasion rehearsal.
The US and South Korea wrapped up their 11-day computer-simulated command post exercise on Thursday, but they are still continuing field training.
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