North Korean leader Kim watches cruise missile tests with his daughter

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and his teenage daughter recently watched tests of cruise missiles launched from a warship, according to state media on Wednesday. This comes as North Korea warned about possible actions in response to U.S.-South Korean military exercises. The Korean Central News Agency released pictures showing Kim and his daughter in a conference room, viewing a screen that displayed missiles being fired from the Choe Hyon, a naval destroyer that is one year old. On Tuesday, Kim observed the missile launches through video and emphasized the importance of having “a powerful and reliable nuclear war deterrent,” although the report did not mention his daughter. The girl, believed to be named Kim Ju Ae and around 13 years old, has been seen with her father at several major events, including military parades and weapon tests, since late 2022. Last month, South Korea’s intelligence agency suggested that Kim Jong Un might be preparing to name her as his successor. According to KCNA, the missiles struck target islands along North Korea’s western coast. Kim Jong Un stated that these launches were intended to showcase the navy’s strategic offensive capabilities and to familiarize troops with firing the weapons. He had also attended similar cruise missile launches from the Choe Hyon last week, but his daughter was not present then. The missile tests occurred following the commencement of the spring U.S.-South Korean military drills, which North Korea perceives as a rehearsal for invasion. On Tuesday, Kim Jong Un’s sister, Kim Yo Jong, who is a senior official, criticized the drills, stating they highlight the U.S. and South Korea’s deep-seated hostility towards North Korea. She asserted that North Korea will “convince the enemies of our war deterrence.” The 11-day Freedom Shield exercise, which started on Monday, mainly involves computer-simulated command post activities and will include a field training component. North Korea frequently responds to these military drills with its own weapons tests.