Kim Jong Un’s recent visit to a special operations training base has drawn attention for his unusual emphasis on female special forces members. Military analysts suggest this move aligns with North Korea’s strategy of arming all citizens regardless of gender. They also speculate it may be an attempt to soften public resistance to the increasing military presence of Kim’s daughter, Ju Ae, who is seen as a potential successor.
On March 29, the Workers’ Party’s official newspaper Rodong Sinmun reported that Kim, the Party’s General Secretary, recently inspected a special operations training facility under the General Staff of the Korean People’s Army. During his visit, Kim observed the troops’ training conditions and watched a demonstration of their skills.
The newspaper highlighted Kim’s warm encouragement of the female special forces members, noting his apparent joy at witnessing their confident performance. A prominently featured photo showed Kim surrounded by soldiers, with female troops positioned centrally around him while male soldiers were placed more towards the periphery.
Female special forces members are reportedly rare in North Korea. While women typically enlist at 17 after completing high school, like their male counterparts, they are usually assigned to communications, anti-aircraft units, or medical roles within the military.
Previous media coverage of North Korean female special forces has been scarce. One notable instance occurred on July 22, 2005, when Kim Jong Il, then Chairman of the National Defense Commission, inspected a special unit. At that time, Korean Central Television briefly showed female soldiers in camouflage uniforms.
The recent Rodong Sinmun report featured photos of female special forces members demonstrating martial arts skills before Kim, presenting a strong and proactive image. This marks a shift from past practices, where trained female special forces primarily engaged in non-combat operations. The current display suggests these operatives may be prepared for actual combat deployment.
This development draws parallels to South Korea’s sole female special forces unit, formerly known as the Black Widow unit. Established in 1991 for capital defense and counter-terrorism operations, this all-female unit operates under the Capital Defense Command. In May 2022, it was renamed the Taehwa Unit.
North Korea’s showcase of female special forces aligns with its recently promoted strategy of arming all citizens. In a recent speech to the Supreme People’s Assembly, Kim emphasized prioritizing resources for national defense to realize this goal of universal armament and fortification.
Analysts interpret Kim’s sudden focus on arming the entire population, amid ongoing nuclear advancement efforts, as a response to U.S. actions in Venezuela and Iran. This shift may indicate a perceived need to bolster defensive readiness against potential unexpected conflicts.
Professor Lim Eom-chul from Kyungnam University’s Far East Institute suggests that Kim’s specific mention of female special forces training demonstrates North Korea’s commitment to enhancing nationwide resistance capabilities, regardless of gender.
Some experts view this as a calculated move to normalize the increasing military presence of Kim’s daughter, Ju Ae, who is emerging as a likely successor. Ju Ae has recently been accompanying her father to various military events, including weapons tests and factory inspections.
Professor Lim explains that by showcasing women in high-level military training, North Korea may be attempting to make Ju Ae’s involvement in defense matters and her growing profile as a future leader more palatable to the public.
