North Korean state media reported that the launch ceremony for the new 5,000-ton multipurpose destroyer “Choi Hyun-ho” was held at Nampo Shipyard on April 25, attended by North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. During the event, Kim’s sister, Kim Yo Jong, was spotted accompanying two children believed to be her own.<\/p>\n
The ceremony attracted significant attention as Kim Yo Jong, deputy director of the Workers’ Party, appeared with children presumed to be hers. While Kim Jong Un’s daughter, known as “Ju Ae,” was also present, a soufce reported that the two children with Kim Yo Jong drew more interest.<\/p>\n
According to a Daily NK source in South Pyongan province, “The event was a top-priority ceremony attended by the supreme leader, conducted with thorough security measures. The children who appeared to be Kim Yo Jong’s drew explosive interest from attendees.”<\/p>\n
The source said participants’ attention initially turned to Ju Ae but quickly shifted to the children accompanying Kim Yo Jong.<\/p>\n
When Kim Yo Jong appeared holding the children’s hands, participants began whispering, “Aren’t those children with Kim Yo Jong her own?” Even during the ceremony, people craned their necks to get a better look at the children.<\/p>\n
The children were dressed in luxurious yet neat attire with distinct facial features, fair skin and bright, confident expressions that suggested they were children of high-ranking officials.<\/p>\n
Despite the somewhat tense atmosphere, the children showed no signs of intimidation as they curiously observed their surroundings.<\/p>\n
In contrast, Ju Ae maintained a careful expression while staying close to Kim Jong Un. Since participants were already familiar with Ju Ae through media reports, they showed greater interest in the children with Kim Yo Jong.<\/p>\n
Even party officials who were supposed to quietly observe the ceremony tried to glimpse the children, with some remarking they “look bright and intelligent.”<\/p>\n
“The attention was so intense that security personnel had to monitor these children simultaneously,” the source said. “Even after the ceremony, some participants seemed eager to follow Kim Yo Jong’s children rather than paying attention to Ju Ae.”<\/p>\n
Kim Yo Jong had previously appeared with a boy and girl presumed to be her children at a New Year celebration in January. South Korea’s National Intelligence Service stated they were conducting analysis on whether these children might be Kim Yo Jong’s.<\/p>\n