Trending Now - Kim Jong Un and Daughter Bond During Tank Drill Observation
WHO:
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un
Kim Jong Un's daughter, reportedly named Kim Ju Ae, approximately 13 years old
Korean Central News Agency (KCNA)
South Korea's spy agency
WHAT:
Kim Jong Un's daughter, Kim Ju Ae, drove a tank during the army training exercise on March 17th, 2026.
Images showed Kim Ju Ae sticking her head out of the driver’s hatch of a moving tank while her father sat on top with three soldiers.
Observers noted that Kim Ju Ae's driving activity was her first, and it involved driving straight at a low speed on flat ground.
Kim Jong Un and his daughter rode a tank together during army training
Kim oversaw firing and other drills involving tank units and infantry troops
They fired pistols during a visit to a light munitions factory
They watched a live-fire test of multiple rocket launch systems
Kim called for completing war preparations
WHERE:
North Korea
Specific location of the tank training exercise not provided
WHEN:
Tank training exercise occurred on Thursday, March 17th, 2026
Last week, they fired pistols (week of March 10th, 2026)
Kim Ju Ae has accompanied her father to events since late 2022
Last September, Kim Ju Ae traveled to Beijing with her father
New Year's Day celebrations where Kim Ju Ae kissed her father on the cheek occurred on January 1st, 2026
U.S. and South Korea's annual military exercises concluded on March 17th, 2026
WHY:
South Korea’s spy agency assessed in February 2026 that Kim Jong Un was close to designating Kim Ju Ae as his heir.
Kim Jong Un's actions are part of war preparations
North Korea views U.S. and South Korea's military exercises as invasion rehearsals
HOW:
Kim and his daughter participated in military training exercises, including riding a tank and overseeing drills
KCNA published images and footage of the events, showcasing the closeness between Kim and his daughter
(UPDATED March 20, 2026 11:09 UTC)
In a notable display of military involvement, Kim Jong Un's daughter, Kim Ju Ae, drove a tank during an army training exercise on March 17, 2026, with images capturing her peeking out of the driver’s hatch while her father sat on top alongside three soldiers. This marked her first driving activity, which consisted of maneuvering the tank at a low speed on flat ground. Observers have pointed out that South Korea’s spy agency had assessed in February that Kim Jong Un was nearing the decision to designate Kim Ju Ae as his heir.
--
(UPDATED March 20, 2026 09:11 UTC)
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and his daughter, reportedly named Kim Ju Ae, participated in a tank training exercise on Thursday, March 17, where they oversaw firing drills involving tank units and infantry troops. During their visit, they also fired pistols at a light munitions factory and watched a live-fire test of multiple rocket launch systems, with Kim emphasizing the need to complete war preparations. The Korean Central News Agency shared images and footage of the event, highlighting the bond between Kim and his daughter, who has been accompanying him to various events since late 2022.