North Korean leader Kim Jong-un was accompanied by his daughter, Kim Ju-ae, at a ceremony launching a new 5,000-ton destroyer, state media said on April 26.
In a 67-minute broadcast, Korean Central Television (KCTV) showed Kim and Ju Ae aboard his armored private train before arriving at the Nampo Shipyard. During the journey, Jo Chun-ryong, secretary for military industry affairs, entered their carriage to report on preparations. Kim replied briefly, “All good?” before stepping off the train with his daughter.
Meanwhile, senior officials including Workers’ Party Secretary for Economic Affairs Kim Tok-hun were seen holding hands with children believed to be their own as they disembarked. Kim’s sister, Kim Yo-jong, was also filmed leaving the train with two young children.
The rare appearance of top party, government, and military figures with their families appeared intended to emphasize generational loyalty to the Kim family.
At the ceremony, Kim Ju-ae stood by her father’s side, wearing a white jacket and black trousers—the same outfit she donned during a visit to the Navy Command last year.
Kim Ju-ae sang along to a military song and nodded during Kim’s speech, which accused U.S.-South Korean military drills of preparing for a nuclear strike against North Korea, according to KCTV.
After the ceremony, Kim and his daughter toured the new warship arm-in-arm. Footage showed Kim laughing at a whisper from Ju-ae and trying on a Marine’s hat during a photo session with sailors.
Kim and his daughter then departed together in an Aurus limousine, a luxury vehicle gifted by Russian President Vladimir Putin, highlighting deepening ties between Pyongyang and Moscow.
