North Korean leader, his daughter make remarkable new appearance at sporting event

WORLD, Feb. 18 (YPA) – North Korean leader Kim Jong Un brought his young daughter to a soccer game, her latest in a series of public appearances that have triggered debate on whether she’s being prepped for a future leadership role.

The official Korean Central News Agency said the presence of Kim and his “beloved” daughter, known as Kim Ju Ae and believed to be around 10 years old, brought “joy and excitement” to Friday’s ceremonial game between staff members from the Cabinet and the Defense Ministry.

The Defense Ministry team won the match 3-1 and then beat the Cabinet staff again in a tug-of-war event, according to the report, which didn’t mention any comments made by Kim.

The event was to celebrate the birthday of the late Kim Jong Il, the country’s previous leader and the father of the current ruler.

The event marked the sixth known public appearance of Kim Ju Ae, but the first that wasn’t overtly related to her father’s nuclear arms ambitions.

E.M