Kim Jong Un’s daughter drives tank in new photos, fuelling succession speculation

Kim Jong Un’s teenage daughter was seen driving an army tank with her father seated behind her in newly released images by Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), prompting fresh speculation about her potential future role in leadership.

The girl, widely believed to be Kim’s daughter Kim Ju Ae and thought to be around 13 years old, has been appearing more frequently in public alongside her father in recent months. In the latest photos, she is shown peering out from the driver’s hatch with a focused expression, while Kim leans against the turret smiling. Three uniformed military officers are also seen seated on the tank’s hull.

Earlier this month, she was photographed at a firing range aiming a rifle, and on another occasion handling a handgun—images that have drawn attention from analysts tracking signs of a possible succession plan. North Korea has not officially confirmed her name or age.

The images were released as Kim oversaw a drill involving a new type of tank, which KCNA said demonstrated improved offensive and defensive capabilities, including against drones and anti-tank missiles. In recent years, Kim has pushed to modernise the country’s conventional military forces alongside expanding its strategic arsenal, which includes long-range ballistic missiles and nuclear weapons.