Seoul, Feb. 28, 2026 — North Korea has once again thrust the teenage daughter of leader Kim Jong Un into the spotlight by releasing a rare image of her firing a rifle—an unusual and highly symbolic gesture from the secretive state.
On Saturday, state media published a photograph showing Kim Ju Ae, believed to be in her early teens, taking aim with a new sniper rifle at an outdoor shooting range. In the image, smoke curls from the rifle’s barrel as she peers through the scope, a leather jacket on her shoulders—an outfit that mirrors the style often seen on her father during official events.
The image was released in conjunction with the conclusion of the Workers’ Party of Korea’s Ninth Congress, a key political gathering that capped off a week of events and parades celebrating Kim Jong Un’s rule. During the congress, Kim presented newly developed sniper rifles as “special gifts” to senior military and party officials—a gesture described as a symbol of trust and loyalty within the regime.
What has drawn global attention is not just the rifle itself, but who is holding it. Kim Ju Ae has appeared more frequently in state-sanctioned media in recent years, from military parades to inspections of weapons projects—a stark contrast to how previous generations of Kim family heirs were revealed to the public.
South Korea’s intelligence agencies and outside analysts have taken these images as a possible sign that Kim is positioning his daughter for future leadership, reinforcing speculation that she may be groomed as a successor to the country’s dynastic rule. A former university president in Seoul told AFP that the photos suggest she is receiving training as a successor.
Despite these signals, North Korean state media has not formally named Ju Ae as an heir or given her any official title in the government or party. Rules within the party require members to be at least 18 years old to hold an official position, and analysts caution that any formal transition is likely to remain opaque until power actually changes hands.
The release of the photo also coincided with another notable development: the elevation of Kim Yo Jong, Kim Jong Un’s sister, to head the General Affairs Department of the Workers’ Party—a position akin to a top party secretary role.
For decades, the Kim family dynasty has cultivated a tightly controlled image of power and continuity, building legitimacy through orchestrated appearances and symbolic gestures rather than transparent political processes. Ju Ae’s growing presence in the public eye fits within that tradition—yet it also raises new questions about what the future leadership of one of the world’s most secretive nations might look like
