Kim Ju-ae, the daughter of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, made her first public appearance in two months, attending an official event alongside her father.
Her last appearance in North Korean media was on October 31, when she accompanied Kim Jong-un to oversee the test launch of the intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) Hwasong-19.
The ruling Workers’ Party newspaper, Rodong Sinmun, reported on December 31 that Kim Jong-un inspected newly completed facilities, including hotels, within the Kalma Coastal Tourism Zone in Wonsan, Kangwon Province, on December 29. The report noted that Kim expressed great satisfaction, calling the area “truly a spectacle.” Kim Ju-ae accompanied him on this visit.
According to Rodong Sinmun, Kim Jong-un emphasized the rich and diverse tourism resources available in North Korea, stating, “Our country possesses the political stability, institutional superiority, and material-economic conditions essential for tourism development.” He also instructed officials to enhance the tourism and cultural infrastructure connecting the Kumgangsan Tourism Zone and the Kalma Coastal Tourism Zone.
Photographs released by North Korean media showcased multiple instances of Kim Ju-ae alongside her father. In one series of images, the two were seen walking arm-in-arm along the beachfront. Other photos depicted them sitting together at a separate table, apart from other officials, or holding hands while inspecting hotel rooms, swimming pools, and other interior facilities.
The North Korean regime announced that the Kalma Coastal Tourism Zone is scheduled to begin operations in June next year.
This is the second time Kim Ju-ae has been prominently featured at a significant event. On October 31, she joined her father at the Hwasong-19 test launch site. At the time, Rodong Sinmun reported that the launch was conducted successfully under Kim Jong-un’s leadership and published photographs of the father-daughter duo observing the launch together.
By Jang Gu-seul [jang.guseul@joongang.co.kr]
