Post by : Shakul

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has gifted newly developed sniper rifles to senior government and military officials following a weeklong Workers’ Party congress that celebrated his leadership and outlined future policy goals. State media described the gesture as a symbol of Kim’s “absolute trust” in loyal cadres who have served the regime since the last party congress in 2021.

Images released by state media showed officials testing the rifles at a shooting range, including Kim’s influential sister Kim Yo Jong, who was promoted during the congress to general affairs director of the party’s central committee — a role that expands her authority over internal party operations. The photos also featured Kim’s teenage daughter, widely believed to be Kim Ju Ae, aiming the weapon as smoke rose from its barrel.

The appearance of Kim’s daughter has renewed speculation that the leader may be preparing a fourth generation of dynastic rule. Since first appearing publicly at a missile test in 2022, she has accompanied her father to military events, factory inspections and high-profile diplomatic activities. Although she did not attend formal party meetings — likely due to age restrictions — she stood beside Kim during a military parade marking the congress’s conclusion.

The Workers’ Party congress, held in Pyongyang, is the country’s most important political gathering, convened every five years. During the meetings, Kim reaffirmed plans to accelerate North Korea’s nuclear weapons programme and repeated his hard-line stance toward South Korea, while also leaving limited room for future dialogue with the United States if Washington abandons demands for denuclearization.

South Korean intelligence agencies and regional experts continue to closely watch Kim’s public messaging for subtle signals of succession planning. While no formal move was announced at the congress, analysts say repeated symbolic appearances and state media language praising “glorious succession” suggest a gradual effort to shape public acceptance of a future leadership transition.

#world news #Asia News #Politics