Published on 20/03/2026 - 10:35 GMT+1

The teenage daughter of North Korea's leader Kim Jong-un was seen driving a tank alongside her father during a military training exercise, adding to speculation that she is being groomed as his successor.

In footage released by state media, Kim and his daughter are both dressed in the black leather jackets they are often seen wearing. The girl, reportedly named Kim Ju-ae, appears to be driving the olive-green tank, with her head sticking out from the hatch. Kim is sitting on the top of the tank, smiling and surrounded by other soldiers.

"She only drove straight at a low speed. It's also easy to drive modern tanks and I think it was easier for her to drive as she was on a flat ground," said Lee Illwoo, an expert with the Korea Defence Network in South Korea.

The official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported on Friday that Kim oversaw a drill exercise involving tank units and infantry forces, days after the two watched rocket launches and fired pistols.

Kim's daughter has been frequently seen accompanying her father at high-profile military events in recent months, including at weapons tests, military parades and factory openings. Her first appearance in public was at a long-range missile test in November 2022.

South Korean officials initially questioned whether she could be chosen as a North Korean leader, citing her young age and the country's deeply conservative culture and history of male-dominated leadership.

However, her increasingly high-profile appearances in state media have led to a reassessment.

Despite her increased appearances, North Korean state media have never published the name of Kim's daughter, referring to her only as his "respected" or "most beloved" child.