North Korean leader Kim Jong Un unveiled his nine-year-old daughter to the world for the very first time as he witnessed the launch of a new intercontinental ballistic missile on a family day out.
The bully has spoken vaguely about his children before and there has been speculation about the identity of his eldest daughter before, but this is the first time state media KCNA has released any details or images of her.
The girl was seen arm in arm with Jong Un as he inspected the devastating weapons at a military base, while watching the launch from afar with her father and mother, Ri Sol-ju.
His daughter appeared to be enjoying her visit, as she was pictured smiling as the chief spoke with servicemen and leaned over to speak to him as they walked away from the testing site.
Experts believe her name is Kim Ju-ae – but this has not been confirmed.
During the visit, Kim Jong Un pledged to counter US nuclear threats with nuclear weapons as he inspected a test of the country’s new intercontinental ballistic missile, state media KCNA said on Friday evening.
Kim Jong Un took his daughter (left) on a family day out – to an intercontinental ballistic missile launch
He could be seen holding hands with the North Korean leader as she spoke to him at the launch
Friday’s launch was for a new type of missile called Hwasongpho-17, which state television said flew at a height of more than 6,000 km.
North Korea has warned of ‘more fierce military responses’ to Washington increasing its security presence in the region
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un (left), pictured with his wife Ri Sol Ju and daughter, believed to be Kim Ju-ae
The isolated country tested an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) on Friday shortly after warning of “more fierce military responses” in Washington bolstering its regional security presence.
Present at the site with his daughter and wife, Kim said threats from the United States and its allies pursuing a hostile policy prompted his country to “significantly accelerate the strengthening of its overwhelming nuclear deterrent”.
“Kim Jong Un solemnly declared that if enemies continue to pose threats…our party and government will resolutely respond to nuclear weapons with nuclear weapons and all-out confrontation with all-out confrontation,” the statement said. official KCNA news agency.
They claimed the missile launch was a success, saying the Hwasongpho-17 weapon flew over 6,000 km altitude over a distance of nearly 1,000 km during a flight that lasted 4 135 seconds.
MailOnline has not been able to verify any of these claims.
In a lengthy press release reporting numerous assaults from the United States and the Western world, the despot acknowledged that he was accompanied on the visit by his “beloved” daughter and wife, but did not has not confirmed the name of his daughter.
He added that everyone working on North Korea’s nuclear capabilities has pledged “absolute worship and ardent loyalty” to the leader.
His daughter is believed to have been spotted at a performance to mark the nation’s 74th birthday in Pyongyang on September 8.
Michael Madden, an expert on North Korea’s elite, said Kim’s daughter would be the same age as the girl, whom viewers saw she had spoken to and personally treated by his wife.
During Friday’s launch and inspection, the despot was seen arm in arm with his daughter as they watched the missile being transported
The family watches the missile launch from a distance as it accelerates into the sky (left)
His wife and daughter can just be seen cheering as the launch is declared a success
In September, experts in China believed they had spotted the despot’s daughter for the first time – but this has not been confirmed
He said: “She would be almost ten years old in 2022, which is roughly the age of the girl shown in the state media footage.”
He added that Ri Sol-ju herself made several television appearances before being identified as part of the First Family.
“Madame Ri has appeared on North Korean television several times as a singer, sometimes as a soloist, at concerts,” he said.
“These appearances took place before her identification in July 2012 as the wife of Kim Jong-un.”
But he stressed that making his daughter too public could carry risks for Kim.
Mr Madden said: “When Kim Jong-un was a child and teenager, he was kept apart from all North Korean elites who had close family or personal relationships with his father.”
“North Korean elites could not interact with him or his siblings without his father’s approval.
“Potential adversaries among North Korean elites, if they know the identity of the leader’s children, could present a vulnerability.
“Instead of fomenting a coup or insurrection against political leaders, children could be kidnapped or harmed in order to exert influence over the leader.
“It applied to Kim Jong-un when he was growing up and could very well apply to his own children.”
