Kim Jong-un Marks 73rd Korean War Armistice Anniversary; Daughter Kim Ju-ae Makes First Appearance at Victory Day Events

Kim Jong-un marked the 73rd anniversary of the July 27, 1953 Korean War armistice with a weekend of commemorations in Pyongyang: visits to the Fatherland Liberation War Martyrs Cemetery and Revolutionary Martyrs Cemetery, a commemorative gala honoring Chinese wartime contributions, and a Victory Day parade featuring reenactments of 1950s-era units alongside modern ground, naval and air formations, with Chinese and Russian diplomats in attendance. His daughter Kim Ju-ae and wife Ri Sol-ju accompanied him throughout — the first time Ju-ae has appeared at armistice/Victory Day commemorations. Kim also visited the Chinese People's Volunteer Army cemetery, paying respects at the grave of Mao Anying, son of Mao Zedong, underscoring warming Beijing-Pyongyang ties following Xi Jinping's June 2026 Pyongyang visit. South Korea's National Intelligence Service assesses Ju-ae has been positioned as Kim's likely successor.