With daughter in tow, N. Korean leader attends factory openings for 2nd straight day

▲ North Korean leader Kim Jong-un (R) and his daughter, Ju-ae (L), inspect products at a new factory in the eastern coastal city of Sinpho on Dec. 19, 2025, in this photo released by the Korean Central News Agency on Dec. 21, 2025. (For Use Only in the Republic of Korea. No Redistribution) (Yonhap)

▲ North Korean leader Kim Jong-un (C) cuts the ribbon at the inauguration ceremony for regional factories in the eastern coastal city of Sinpho on Dec. 19, 2025, in this photo published by the Korean Central News Agency on Dec. 21, 2025. (For Use Only in the Republic of Korea. No Redistribution) (Yonhap)

NK leader-factory

With daughter in tow, N. Korean leader attends factory openings for 2nd straight day

SEOUL, Dec. 21 (Yonhap) -- North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has attended ceremonies to open new factories for the second straight day, state media reported Sunday, highlighting his push for regional development as he appeared alongside his daughter.

The Korean Central News Agency said Kim toured factories in the eastern coastal city of Sinpho on Friday, a day after he cut the ribbon at the opening ceremony for a plant in the western county of Jangyon.

While the KCNA article did not mention her by name, Kim's daughter, Ju-ae, widely seen as his heir apparent, appeared in photographs released by the agency. It marked her first public appearance with her father since Monday, when they toured another set of factories together.

According to the report, Kim noted that Sinpho now has "reliable potential and a strong driving force for its independent development" and reaffirmed the determination of the ruling Workers' Party to pursue more ambitious regional development goals.

Kim also visited Sinpho's offshore farm, where he was briefed on aquaculture processing, the KCNA said.

North Korea has been pursuing its regional development policy since last year to narrow the income gap between cities and different parts of the country.

(END)

(C) Yonhap News Agency. All Rights Reserved