North Korea's state news agency KCNA reported today that leader Kim Jong-un and his daughter Kim Ju-ae inspected a major defense factory that produces handguns and other infantry weapons.

Released images show Kim Ju-ae test-firing a handgun alongside military officials. Kim Jong-un and his daughter then toured the factory, examining the manufactured products. The North Korean leader expressed satisfaction with the "superior quality" of the firearms produced at the facility.

Kim Ju-ae (third from left) fires a handgun during a weapons factory visit on 11/3. *Photo: KCNA*

The factory plays a crucial role in enhancing the military's combat effectiveness, therefore it needs to expand its production capacity with foresight, he stated.

This marks the second time in two weeks that North Korea has published images of Kim Ju-ae test-firing domestically produced guns with her father.

"It appears North Korea is striving to build an image of a strong and formidable woman. The shooting scene clearly aims to demonstrate her cultivating the qualities of a military leader," said Lim Eul-chul, a North Korea expert at Kyungnam University in South Korea.

Kim Jong-un holds a gun during his factory visit. *Photo: KCNA*

Ju-ae is believed to have been born in 2012 and is the second daughter of the North Korean leader, according to South Korean intelligence. North Korea first publicized images of Ju-ae in 11/2022 when she accompanied her father during an intercontinental ballistic missile launch.

She has long been considered a potential successor to Kim Jong-un. This assessment has been reinforced by Ju-ae's recent public appearances. South Korea's National Intelligence Service (NIS) reported last month that Ju-ae is being groomed for succession.

By Huyen Le (Based on KCNA, Reuters)