On Wednesday, North Korea's state media reported that Kim Jong Un had taken his daughter to the nation's armed forces to honor the 75th anniversary of their formation.
Kim Jong Un's visit coincided with North Korea's intention to stage a grand military parade in Pyongyang. This parade could potentially display the latest developments in their nuclear weapons program, a matter which has caused distress among their neighboring countries and the U.S.
Kim Ju Ae, believed to be 9 or 10 years old, made her fourth known public appearance, standing beside her father as he exchanged handshakes with important figures and took a seat at the table. Analysts claim that Kim's choice to bring his daughter to events associated with the military is to demonstrate to the world that he has no intention of voluntarily giving up his nuclear arms. This is seen as the most effective way of ensuring the preservation of his power and the continuation of his family's reign.
State media's laudatory portrayal of Kim Ju Ae has stirred discussion about if she is in line to be her father's successor. In November, she attended a flight test of an intercontinental ballistic missile and also went with her father to meet with military scientists and inspect ballistic missiles.
According to the Korean Central News Agency of North Korea, Kim and his daughter went to the lodging quarters of the Korean People's Army general officers on Wednesday. Afterward, Kim gave a motivating talk at a banquet, commending his military officials for keeping the "strongest army in the world despite external challenges.
Kim held a meeting with his military leaders the day prior, proposing a boost in combat exercises in order to increase preparedness for war. This comes as North Korea has been escalating its weapons tests in response to the rising tensions with South Korea and the United States.
Kim expressed in his address that it was his highest honor to be the leader of an army that was "fulfilling (the) call of the times and history as the strongest army in the world.
Official news outlets in North Korea did not provide any information about Kim's remarks toward either Washington or Seoul. However, the Rodong Sinmun newspaper declared in an editorial on Wednesday that the North's military is ready to take action and launch super strong strike of unimaginable might to wipe out the origins of provocations without a trace.
The paper reported that North Korea's increased weapons trials and combat drills in the prior year had been successful exhibitions of an overwhelming military might.
Residents of Pyongyang commemorated the landmark anniversary by paying their respects to the statues of their late leaders, Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il, at Mansu Hill, with soldiers standing in salute.
Kim's nuclear aspirations have resulted in North Korea facing more and more economic estrangement and food scarcity, demonstrating the ever-growing consequences of such ambitions.
Last week, North Korea's Foreign Ministry expressed its opposition to the U.S.'s plans to strengthen their joint exercises with South Korea and to deploy more advanced military assets like bombers and aircraft carriers to the region. They warned that they are ready to respond to these military moves with their "most overwhelming nuclear force."
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