North Korean leader Kim gifts rifles to officials and his daughter at party congress

North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un Presents New Sniper Rifles to Senior Officials

In a recent ceremony, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un presented new sniper rifles to top government and military officials following a weeklong governing party congress. The event was attended by senior officials, including Kim’s powerful sister, Kim Yo Jong, who has been promoted to the general affairs director of the party’s central committee.

According to reports from North Korea’s official Korean Central News Agency, Kim called the rifles a sign of his “absolute trust” and gratitude for their commitment over the past five years. The event took place at a shooting range, where officials were seen handling the new rifles.

The party congress, which concluded on Wednesday with a military parade in Pyongyang, is North Korea’s most significant political event held every five years since 2016. During the meetings, Kim reiterated his plans to accelerate North Korea’s nuclear arsenal and confirmed his hardline view of rival South Korea.

Kim’s young daughter, believed to be around 13 years old, was also seen handling a weapon at the shooting range. She has been accompanying her father to a growing number of events since first appearing in public at a long-range missile test in November 2022.

State media photos showed Kim Yo Jong and other top officials aiming the rifles handed out by Kim Jong Un. The promotion of Kim Yo Jong to the general affairs director of the party’s central committee signals a broader role overseeing the party’s internal operations and administrative affairs.

In recent weeks, Kim has dismissed dialogue with South Korea, claiming his forces could “completely destroy” his southern neighbour. He has also signaled that the future of talks with the US requires Washington to discard “hostile” policies towards Pyongyang.

Source: Al Jazeera