SEOUL, South Korea — The teenage daughter of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has driven a tank during army training supervised by her father, the pair’s latest joint public appearance fueling outside speculation that the girl is groomed as Kim’s heir. The official Korean Central News Agency reported Friday that Kim oversaw an offensive tactical drill involving tank units and infantry troops a day earlier and called for completing war preparations. North Korean state media has called her Kim Jong Un’s “most beloved” or “respected” child and published footage and photos indicating the two’s closeness. South Korea’s spy agency assessed last month Kim Jong Un was close to designating her as his heir. Some experts disagree with that assessment, citing Kim Jong Un’s relatively young age and the extremely male-dominated nature of North Korea’s power hierarchy.

Source: The North Africa Journal March 21, 2026 09:28 UTC