Teen daughter of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un pictured driving tank

Kim Jong Un and his daughter, reportedly named Kim Ju Ae on a tank at a military training base in North Korea. Credit: AP / North Korean government

The teenage daughter of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un was pictured driving an anti-drone tank during a large-scale military drill overseen by her father.

Video and images released by state media on Friday show Kim's daughter sticking her head out of the driver’s hatch of a moving tank, while her smiling father sat on top alongside three soldiers.

The official Korean Central News Agency reported that Kim was overseeing an offensive tactical drill involving tank units and infantry troops.

Independent journalists were not given access to cover the event depicted in this image distributed by the North Korean government. Credit: AP / North Korean government

This is the father and daughter's latest joint public appearance, seemingly supporting outside speculation that the girl, reportedly named Kim Ju Ae, is groomed as Kim's heir.

Observers say the Jue Ae's position clearly shows she was driving the armored vehicle. But they note modern tanks are not technically complicated to pilot, especially while moving slowly for a brief time."She only drove straight at a low speed. It's also easy to drive modern tanks, and I think it was easier for her to drive as she was on a flat ground," said Lee Illwoo, an expert with the Korea Defense Network in South Korea.

Jue Ae, reportedly aged about 13, has accompanied her father to a number of high-profile military and other events since late 2022.

The pair recently fired pistols during a visit to a light munitions factory and watched a live-fire test of multiple rocket launch systems.

North Korean state media has called her Kim’s "most beloved" or "respected" child and published footage and photos indicating the two's closeness. It is believed that the North Korean leader has two other children.

Father and daughter watching missile test earlier this month. Credit: AP / North Korean government

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

Some experts disagree with that assessment, citing Kim's relatively young age and the extremely male-dominated nature of North Korea’s power hierarchy.

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