North Korea Reveals 'Kim Jong Un's Daughter' for Second Day... Warm Leader Image with Back Hug

Despite Security and Personal Risks, Public Disclosure Proceeded
'Nuclear Force Future Generation Safety' Message

North Korea reportedly test-fired a new type of intercontinental ballistic missile, the Hwasong-17, under the leadership of Kim Jong-un, General Secretary of the Workers' Party, on the 18th, according to Korean Central TV on the 20th. The photo shows Kim Jong-un's daughter, who closely resembles the General Secretary, as additionally released by Korean Central TV on the same day. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jang Hee-jun] North Korea has been exposing images of Kim Jong-un, the General Secretary of the Workers' Party, and his daughter for two consecutive days. Despite concerns about security issues and personal safety, the continuous exposure of his daughter's face is interpreted as an intention to emphasize that nuclear and missile development is necessary to guarantee the safety of future generations and ensure regime continuity. In particular, there is an analysis that the 'Kim Jong-un style,' which openly revealed his wife Ri Sol-ju immediately after taking power, unlike his predecessors, has been reproduced.

On the 20th, Korean Central Television reported that on the 18th, General Secretary Kim and his daughter accompanied each other at the site of an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) test launch.

Above all, a large number of previously unreleased photos that were not broadcast during the first report the day before were revealed, attracting attention.

General Secretary Kim watched the launch scene in a so-called 'back hug' posture, tightly embracing his daughter from behind, or cheered with one arm wrapped around his daughter's shoulder. There was also a scene where the daughter, standing beside General Secretary Kim while he watched the launched missile, held a watch in her right hand and was staring at something. Additionally, a warm scene was staged where General Secretary Kim, Ri Sol-ju, and their daughter walked side by side.

Revealing the face of the daughter, who belongs to the so-called 'Baekdu bloodline' royal family claimed by North Korea, inevitably brings significant changes to future security and protocol. Nonetheless, the fact that multiple angles of her were exposed for two consecutive days is noteworthy.

This is read as an intention to highlight that nuclear and missile development is necessary for the safety of future generations and regime continuity. The Workers' Party's official newspaper, Rodong Sinmun, stated in an editorial on the front page that day, "For the bright smiles and beautiful dreams of our future generations, we will continue to qualitatively and quantitatively strengthen nuclear weapons, the powerful sword for peace protection, and devote our boundless patriotic hearts to that path," which is interpreted in the same context.

North Korea reportedly test-fired a new type of intercontinental ballistic missile, the Hwasong-17, under the leadership of Kim Jong-un, General Secretary of the Workers' Party, on the 18th, according to Korean Central TV on the 20th. The photo shows the General Secretary holding his daughter in his arms while looking at a monitor, which was additionally released by Korean Central TV on the same day. The screen displayed on the monitor has been obscured to prevent identification. [Image source=Yonhap News]

There is also an evaluation that General Secretary Kim's 'style' of valuing family has been reproduced.

His father, Kim Jong-il, the National Defense Commission Chairman, never appeared with his wife at official public events during his lifetime. Even after his death, North Korean state media did not separately highlight Kim Jong-il's women such as Song Hye-rim, Kim Young-sook, Ko Yong-hui, and Kim Ok.

In contrast, General Secretary Kim openly revealed his wife Ri Sol-ju immediately after taking power in 2012 and accompanied her not only on domestic inspection tours but also on diplomatic stages with foreign heads of state. This is interpreted as an intention to show the image of a 'normal state leader.'

Furthermore, knowing better than anyone that his father's womanizing led to fierce succession competition, General Secretary Kim is speculated to have shown a family-oriented image to nip the seeds of conflict in the bud.

Besides, by showing care for his child just like any other young parent, it seems there is also an intention to build a friendly leader image among the residents.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.