Kim Jong Un Presents Sniper Rifles to Top Officials After Party Congress
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has gifted new sniper rifles to senior government and military officials following a weeklong ruling party congress that celebrated his leadership. The gesture, reported by the Korean Central News Agency on Saturday, was described as a sign of Kim's "absolute trust" and gratitude for their commitment over the past five years since the last Workers' Party congress in 2021.
Daughter's Prominent Appearance Sparks Succession Speculation
State media highlighted an image of Kim's teenage daughter, believed to be named Kim Ju Ae and about 13 years old, taking aim at a shooting range with one of the rifles. This appearance has fueled intense speculation that Kim is grooming her as a future leader, especially as she has accompanied him to numerous high-profile events since her public debut in November 2022. These events include military demonstrations, factory openings, and a summit with Chinese leader Xi Jinping in Beijing.
Photos released by state media showed Kim Yo Jong, Kim's powerful sister who now serves as the general affairs director of the party's central committee, and other top officials aiming the rifles at the range. Kim's daughter was seen wearing a brown leather coat similar to her father's, handling the weapon as smoke rose from the barrel.
Party Congress Reinforces Kim's Leadership and Nuclear Stance
The party congress, which concluded on Wednesday in Pyongyang after seven days, is North Korea's most significant political event, held every five years since 2016. It serves as a carefully choreographed spectacle glorifying Kim's leadership before thousands of delegates. During the meetings, Kim doubled down on plans to accelerate North Korea's nuclear arsenal, which already threatens the United States and its allies in Asia, and confirmed his hard-line view of rival South Korea.
However, Kim also left the door open for dialogue with the U.S., reiterating Pyongyang's stance that Washington must abandon demands for denuclearization as a precondition for resuming stalled talks.
Subtle Signals and Dynastic Rule Considerations
South Korean officials and experts closely monitored the congress for signs that Kim was preparing to extend the family's dynastic rule to a fourth generation by cementing his daughter as successor. Earlier this month, South Korea's spy agency assessed that Kim Jong Un was close to designating her as heir. Although she did not receive a formal party post at the congress—party rules require members to be at least 18—she shared center stage with her father at a military parade marking its conclusion.
Some experts suggest that if Kim sought to solidify his daughter as successor, the signals would likely be subtle, such as self-congratulatory statements about North Korea's survival and crediting that endurance to the successful inheritance of the socialist cause. In a report assessing the congress, North Korean state media said the meetings "laid a solid foundation for the sacred effort to ensure and realize the glorious succession and development of our party."
