North Korean leader Kim Jong-un attended a ribbon-cutting ceremony for an industrial complex in Kangdong County on the outskirts of Pyongyang, accompanied by his daughter Ju-ae and wife Ri Sol-ju. This marks the first public appearance of the family together since the Wonsan-Kalma tourist zone dedication in June. Kim expressed satisfaction with the completion of the factory and multifunctional service facility under his regional development policy.
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un attended a ribbon-cutting ceremony on December 15 in Kangdong County on the outskirts of Pyongyang, marking the completion of an industrial complex. According to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), he was accompanied by his daughter Ju-ae and wife Ri Sol-ju, in their first family public appearance since the June dedication of the Wonsan-Kalma tourist zone. Ju-ae's presence at this economy and livelihoods-focused event stands out, differing from her prior appearances at military-related occasions, where she is often viewed as a potential successor.
Kim cut the ribbon and toured the food processing plant and community service complex, expressing satisfaction with the construction's completion, KCNA reported. He described efforts to advance regional development and deliver the "precious substance of prosperity and civilization" to the people as a "sacred undertaking" that his party must pursue consistently and unconditionally. He added that the true value of a regional industrial revolution lies in "transforming the ideological consciousness" of officials and workers.
North Korea is advancing a regional development initiative under Kim's directives to narrow urban-rural disparities. In February, Kim attended a groundbreaking in the same county for a hospital and multipurpose service facility, the first project under these plans. The hospital complex was completed in November. Last week's plenary session of the Workers' Party of Korea selected 20 cities and counties for construction projects in the local development drive.
