But it has launched a debate about the young Kim Ju Ae's viability as the next leader for the country of 25 million - a dictatorship which has only ever been ruled by a member of the Kim family.

Kim Jong Un says North Korea can completely destroy South Korea if it feels threatened, and he refuses to engage with Seoul.

Kim attended a ceremony Wednesday to mark the presenting of "600 mm-caliber" multiple rocket launchers to the Ninth Congress of the ruling Workers’ Party.

By Joyce Lee and Jack Kim SEOUL, Feb 26 (Reuters) - North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said he would focus on expanding his country's nuclear arsenal and that prospects for improving relations with the U.

Freedom Shield is one of two “command post” exercises that the allies conduct each year; the other is Ulchi Freedom Shield, held in August. The drills are largely computer-simulated and designed to test the allies’ joint operational capabilities while incorporating evolving war scenarios and security challenges.

After a ruling party congress, Kim Jong Un presented the rifles to senior party and military officials, as well as his daughter, who is seen as an increasingly likely successor.

It was Kim Ju Ae's first time joining her father at the Workers' Party of Korea' military parade.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un promised to strengthen his country’s nuclear weapons program on Wednesday, before presiding over a nighttime military parade, accompanied by his daughter.

Saturday’s unprovoked attack on Iran will go down in history as the shameful day in which the United States targeted an elementary school in Minab, Iran, and caused over 165 reported fatalities.