North Korean leader Kim Jong-un oversaw the launch of a “new type” intercontinental ballistic missile on Friday and was spotted with his young daughter, whose existence had not been previously confirmed.
In striking photos released by the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), Kim Jong-un is seen holding hands with a girl while an ICBM sits on its mobile launch platform nearby. KCNA claimed the “new” missile the North Korean leader was tracking was the Hwasong-17, adding that it took off from Pyongyang International Airport and flew a distance of 999.2 kilometers (621 miles).
Kim Jong-un said the purpose of the test was to “clearly demonstrate” his country’s ability to respond to what he called hostile war exercises. “Kim Jong-un solemnly declared that if enemies continue to threaten the DPRK and frequently deploy nuclear strike means, our party and government will resolutely respond with nuclear weapons with nuclear weapons and all-out confrontation with all-out confrontation,” KCNA said.
Since very little is known about the private life of Kim Jong-un or his family, the KCNA report also did not mention his daughter, who appeared in state media for the first time. In 2013, former basketball star Dennis Rodman told Britain’s Guardian that Kim had a “child” named “Ju Ae”. Dennis Rodman said he spent time with his family and called Kim Jong-un a “good dad.”I held their baby Ju Ae and also spoke to Mrs. Ri,” he told the newspaper. State media did not even announce Kim and Ri’s marriage until July 2012, but the couple have three children together, according to South Korea’s National Intelligence Service (NIS).
