Kim Jong Un and his teenage daughter, Kim Ju Ae, were photographed on the 5,000-tonne destroyer Kang Kon on Thursday, the latest in a series of military visits by the North Korean leader accompanied by his eventual successor. The 13-year-old stood close to her father as he toured the vessel, pointing out something to him as they looked out to sea, according to state media images released by KCNA.
While inspecting the warship, Kim announced plans to accelerate efforts to build a nuclear-armed navy and develop what he called “secret underwater weapons.” He called for “rapidly developing” naval forces capable of playing a larger role in the country’s nuclear deterrent and dealing a “deadly blow at the enemy any moment under the water or on the water.” The dictator also outlined a new five-year defence plan that includes building larger 10,000-ton-class destroyers and developing unspecified “underwater secret weapons.”
“Kim Jong Un parades teen daughter on destroyer Kang Kon, vows nuclear navy with 'secret underwater weapons' ahead of Xi Jinping's visit.”
The display of military ambition came days before Chinese leader Xi Jinping is due to make a state visit to North Korea from Monday to Tuesday — his first since June 2019. Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said the trip would “advance ties and strengthen regional peace and stability.” The visit was announced a day after North Korea unveiled what South Korea’s military assessed as a new uranium-enrichment facility for producing nuclear bomb fuel.
Kim’s latest appearance with his daughter on a warship underscores his push to cement North Korea’s status as a nuclear weapons state as he seeks to improve ties with China, the North’s biggest trading partner and aid provider. KCNA did not report any direct remarks by Kim about Washington or Seoul, despite persistent tensions over his nuclear ambitions and a prolonged freeze in diplomacy.
The Kang Kon is the second of two destroyers North Korea unveiled last year, following the Choe Hyon. State media said the ships are designed to carry a range of weapons systems including anti-aircraft and anti-ship weapons as well as nuclear-capable ballistic and cruise missiles, though some experts have questioned their effectiveness in active duty. The vessel was damaged during a botched launching ceremony in May last year at the northeastern port of Chongjin, triggering a furious reaction from Kim, who called the failure “criminal.” North Korea said the Kang Kon was relaunched in June after repairs, but outside experts have questioned whether the ship is fully operational. Kim has called for building two more 5,000-ton-class destroyers.
In recent years, Kim has also prioritised relations with Russia, notably by sending troops and military equipment to support Moscow’s war in Ukraine. Xi’s visit next week will be closely watched as a signal of Beijing’s efforts to reinforce ties with its nuclear-armed neighbour.