North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and his daughter Ju Ae attended New Year celebrations in Pyongyang, where Kim praised national successes and addressed troops in Ukraine.
SEOUL: North Korean leader Kim Jong Un attended New Year celebrations in Pyongyang with his daughter Ju Ae.
State media KCNA reported the event on Thursday featured fireworks, patriotic songs, dances and a taekwondo demonstration.
Photos released by KCNA showed Ju Ae, viewed by some analysts as a potential successor, accompanying her father throughout the festivities.
She was seen hugging children alongside Kim, sitting next to him and holding his hand.
In a speech, Kim lauded the North Korean people’s efforts which led to “successes and phenomenal changes” in 2025.
He called for national unity ahead of a key party congress expected in early 2026, which will set the country’s future direction.
The upcoming 9th Congress of the ruling Workers’ Party of Korea will outline plans for the next five years.
This includes strategy for nuclear and weapons development, as well as the economy.
Kim also sent a New Year’s message to North Korean troops fighting alongside Russia in Ukraine.
He called them the “greatest strength and pride and a strong pillar” of the country.
“Be brave. Behind you are Pyongyang and Moscow,” Kim said in the message, according to KCNA.
The leader said he looks forward to their eventual reunion back home.
KCNA also reported that Kim received New Year cards from many heads of state.
This included cards from the Chinese president and his wife, though Xi Jinping was not named and no further details were disclosed.
