Six short-range missiles were fired on Thursday afternoon in the presence of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and his daughter Ju Ae.
Kim Jong Un has been the leader of North Korea since 2011 after succeeding his father Kim Jong II. Lately, he has been spotted in many military activities alongside his daughter Ju Ae. Recently, the father-daughter duo was present at the Hwasong artillery unit’s fire drill with other military officials.
It was reported, “Kim Jong Un examined the actual war response posture of the 8th fire assault company under the unit charged with striking the enemy’s operation airport in the direction of the western front.”
The missiles were fired into the yellow sea. According to the state media, Kim said that artillery units should be able to serve two purposes “first to deter war and second to take the initiative in the war, by steadily intensifying various simulated drills for real war.” Last year, North Korea conducted the largest number of missile tests and also made public its intention to develop its nuclear program to arm the missiles.
Even though they have not conducted many missile tests in 2023, analyst Leif-Eric Easley, a professor at Ehwa Womans University in Seoul, thinks “This is likely only the beginning of a series of provocative tests by North Korea. The Kim regime may order missile firings of longer ranges, attempt a spy satellite launch, demonstrate a solid-fuel engine, and perhaps even conduct a nuclear test.”
More about the North Korean leader Kim Jong Un
There are many opinions out there as to why Kim’s daughter is accompanying him to public events, mostly events of high military significance. Earlier, Kim’s younger daughter Kim Chu-ae accompanied him at a ballistic missile launch, a test that was condemned by the US.
North Korea is under dynastic rule, which means it is not surprising that Kim would want one of his children to take over in the future. In the incident of the appearance of the younger daughter, many speculated that Kim is hinting towards his successor.
But now since his other daughter was seen at the current event, we can not be sure what Kim is trying to portray from his familial public appearances.
