North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and his daughter wore matching outfits as they toured a missile production plant just days after he threatened to “annihilate” the US and South Korea if provoked.
The pudgy dictator and his daughter, Kim Ju Ae — believed by many to be Kim’s likely successor, were both dressed in all black as they walked through the military facility, photos released Thursday by North Korean state media show.
Kim has called for bolstering the production of various missile launch vehicles in the new year, claiming its imperative to the Hermit Kingdom’s nuclear war deterrence, according to state media.
At a meeting with the country’s ruling party officials last week, Kim said North Korea would expand cooperation efforts with “anti-imperialist independent” countries as it readies itself for war, state news agency KCNA reported.
The despot also pledged to “thoroughly annihilate” the US and rival South Korea if provoked — by deploying the Hermit Kingdom’s nuclear arsenal, referred to as its “treasured sword.”
“If the enemy opt for military confrontation our army should deal a deadly blow to thoroughly annihilate them by mobilizing all the toughest means and potentialities without moments’ hesitation,” Kim told the nation.
The threat came after a year during which North Korea tested its largest ballistic missile and launched its first reconnaissance satellite as Pyongyang says that war is inevitable.
Kim’s public appearance with his daughter also comes after US officials announced that Russia has launched North Korean missiles at Ukraine in recent weeks in white National Security Council spokesman John Kirby called “a significant and concerning escalation in [North Korea’s] support for Russia.
Ju Ae, who is thought to be around 10 years of age, was thrust into the spotlight in November 2022 during a nuclear-capable missile launch exercise. She is believed to be the second — and favorite — of Kim Jong Un’s three children.
Since then, Ju Ae has made a number of other public appearances — including sharing drinks, watching missile parades and dining with senior army commanders.
The family raised her profile by putting her face on five new postage stamps released by the government.
Her sudden ascension has led to speculation that North Korea’s dictator no longer relies heavily on his once-powerful sister, Kim Yo Jong.
With Post wires
Read More: Kim Jong Un and daughter don matching outfits in visit to military production plant
