Kim Jong Un Smiles at Kim Juae's Whisper... Kim Juae Draws Attention at 5,000-Ton Destroyer Launch Ceremony

Extensive Coverage of Kim Jong Un and Kim Juae Touring the Destroyer

North Korean State Affairs Commission Chairman Kim Jong Un attended the launching ceremony of a 5,000-ton destroyer, considered the largest in the history of the North Korean Navy, accompanied by his daughter Kim Juae.

North Korean State Affairs Commission Chairman Kim Jong Un attended the launching ceremony of a 5,000-ton destroyer, considered the largest in the history of the North Korean Navy, accompanied by his daughter Kim Juae. Photo by Yonhap News

According to a 1 hour and 7 minute video of the destroyer launching ceremony broadcast by Korean Central Television on the 26th, Kim Jong Un visited the Nampo Shipyard aboard his private train, known as the "bulletproof train." Jo Chunryong, the Workers' Party secretary in charge of military industry, entered the special train car where only Kim Jong Un and Kim Juae were present to report that preparations for the launching ceremony were complete. The footage also showed Kim Jong Un briefly asking, "Is everything ready?" and then immediately heading to the event venue with Kim Juae.

Senior officials from the Party, government, and military, including Kim Jong Un's younger sister Kim Yo Jong, deputy director of the Workers' Party, also attended the event with their spouses and children, traveling on a special train. The video captured key officials such as Kim Tok Hun, Party secretary for economic affairs, and showed Kim Yo Jong disembarking with children who appeared to be her own.

Kim Juae, as she did during last year's visit to the Korean People's Army Navy Headquarters, accompanied Kim Jong Un wearing a white jacket and black pants suit. North Korean media reported that Kim Juae sang along to a Korean People's Army military song and nodded in agreement during Kim Jong Un's launching ceremony speech, particularly when he stated that the South Korea-United States joint military exercises were provocations aimed at the possibility of a nuclear strike against North Korea.

After the ceremony, footage highlighted Kim Juae linking arms with Kim Jong Un as they toured the destroyer named "Choe Hyonho" for several minutes. There was also a scene where Kim Jong Un laughed at something Kim Juae whispered to him. Kim Jong Un and Kim Juae then rode in an "Aurus" vehicle, a gift from Russian President Vladimir Putin, to their next destination.

The Choe Hyonho is believed to be equipped with a vertical launch system (VLS) and capable of carrying anti-ship missiles, surface-to-air missiles, and cruise missiles. At the event, Kim Jong Un emphasized the importance of a new naval strategy, stating that North Korea must be prepared to carry out a preemptive or final retaliatory strike. Traditionally, North Korea has been an army-centric system, but by showcasing the Choe Hyonho and highlighting Kim Juae at the event, analysts interpret this as demonstrating that Kim Juae is being positioned as a "leader who will usher in a new era together with the navy."