North Korean leader Kim Jong Un watches cruise missile tests with his daughter and reported heir

This photo provided by the North Korean government shows its leader Kim Jong Un, right, and his daughter, left, watch what it says the cruise missiles launches from the naval destroyer, the Choe Hyon. Credit: KCNA via KNS / AP

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and his teenage daughter observed tests of strategic cruise missiles fired from a warship, state media reported on Wednesday.

The images came as North Korea threatened responses to US and South Korean military drills as Washington continues its war with Israel on Iran.They show the two in a conference room looking at a screen showing weapons being fired from the Choe Hyon, a year-old naval destroyer.

US soldiers work at a training field during a military drill in South Korea, near the border with North Korea. Credit: AP

Kim Jong Un watched the missile launches via video on Tuesday and underscored the need to maintain “a powerful and reliable nuclear war deterrent," the state media channel KCNA reported.The girl, reportedly named Kim Ju Ae and about 13, has accompanied her father at numerous prominent events, including military parades and weapons launches, since late 2022.

South Korea’s spy agency assessed last month Kim Jong Un was close to designating her as his heir.

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KCNA said the missiles hit target islands off North Korea's west coast.It quoted Kim Jong Un as saying the launches were meant to demonstrate the navy's strategic offensive posture and get troops familiarised with the weapons.

Leader Kim Jong Un and his daughter watch cruise missiles launches from the naval destroyer, according to the North Korean government Credit: North Korean government

Kim Jong Un observed similar cruise missile launches from the Choe Hyon in person last week, but his daughter was not seen at that appearance.Tuesday's missile firings came after the start of the springtime US and South Korean military drills that North Korea views as an invasion rehearsal.

On Tuesday, Kim Jong Un's sister and senior official, Kim Yo Jong, warned the drills reveal the US and South Korea's “inveterate repugnancy toward" North Korea. She said North Korea will “convince the enemies of our war deterrence”.The 11-day Freedom Shield drill that began Monday is largely a computer-simulated command post exercise and will be accompanied by a field training program. North Korea often reacts to the two sets of training with its own weapons tests.

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