North Korean leader’s teenage daughter drives tank in latest public appearance

SEOUL: North Korean leader ​Kim Jong Un’s teenage daughter drove an army ‌tank with her father sitting behind her in photos from state news agency KCNA on Friday, with analysts suggesting ​she may be training to succeed him. Kim’s daughter, ​known as Ju Ae and believed to be ⁠around 13 years old, has been making increasingly ​frequent public appearances with her father in recent months. In ​the latest photos, she is seen looking out the driver’s hatch with an expression of intent focus and her hair blowing, ​while her grinning father leans against the turret ​and three uniformed military officers sit on the hull. Earlier this month, ‌she ⁠was seen at a firing range aiming a rifle, and on a separate occasion was photographed shooting a handgun. South Korea, US to conduct major joint military exercise in March There has been no official confirmation by the North of her ​name or ​age. Kim on ⁠Thursday supervised a drill of a new type of tank, which demonstrated superior offensive ​and defensive capabilities against drones and anti-tank ​missiles, ⁠according to the KCNA report. Kim has in recent years pursued the modernization of the country’s conventional weapons, including ⁠tactical ​missiles, alongside the development of ​a strategic arsenal that includes long-range ballistic missiles and nuclear weapons.