Tag Archives: oceania

Kim’s daughter visits family mausoleum, promoting her potential status

The teenage daughter of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un made her first known visit to a sacred family mausoleum, a step that experts say bolstered her status as her father's potential heir.

The visit, which occurred on New Year's Day, even sparked speculation that the girl, reportedly named Kim Ju Ae and aged about 13, could be named a high-level official at the upcoming ruling Workers' Party congress.

Images carried by North Korea's state media on Friday showed Kim Ju Ae standing in the front row with her parents and deeply bowing at Pyongyang's Kumsusan Palace of the Sun in Pyongyang, where the embalmed bodies of her late grandfather and great-grandfather are on display.

READ MORE: Large number of police carrying heavy weapons set to patrol Sydney Ashes series

In this photo provided by the North Korean government, leader Kim Jong Un, center right, his wife Ri Sol Ju, third left, and their daughter, center, believed to be named Kim Ju Ae, visit Kumsusan Palace of the Sun in Pyongyang, North Korea, Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026.

The palace is "a place that symbolises legitimacy of the North Korean regime", and her visit there ahead of the Workers' Party congress is a politically orchestrated move, said Cheong Seong-Chang, deputy head of the private Sejong Institute in South Korea.

Kim Jong Un, 41, is the third generation of his family to rule North Korea since the country's foundation in 1948.

He often marks key state anniversaries by visiting the Kumsusan palace and paying respect to his father, Kim Jong Il and grandfather Kim Il Sung.

Cheong predicted that Kim Jong Un could give his daughter the first secretary post at the Workers' Party, the party's No. 2 job, at the congress.

Other experts say she is too young to accept such a high-profile post and might be provided with lower-level jobs.

READ MORE: Perth scientists stumble upon 'stunning' rare meat-eating plant

The daughter of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, reportedly named Kim Ju Ae, attends a military parade to mark the 75th founding anniversary of the Korean People's Army on Kim Il Sung Square in Pyongyang, North Korea on Feb. 8, 2023.

The congress, the first of its kind in five years, is meant to establish new priorities in state policies and reshuffle officials.

North Korea hasn't said when it will hold it, but the National Intelligence Service, South Korea's spy agency, said it likely will be held either in January or February.

Since first appearing in state media in November 2022, Kim Ju Ae has accompanied her father at a slew of events, including military parades and missile launches.

In September, Kim Jong Un brought her on his trip to Beijing. During New Year's Day celebrations this week, she kissed her father on the cheek, showing their closeness.

READ MORE: First victim of Swiss Alps bar fire identified, scores fighting for life in hospitals

In January 2024, the NIS said it viewed Kim Ju Ae as her father's likely heir.

Some outside experts disagree with that assessment, citing Kim Jong Un's relatively young age and the extremely male-dominated nature of North Korea's power hierarchy.

The NIS told lawmakers in November that Kim appeared to have no major health problems.

Revealing the young Kim Ju Ae was a surprise to foreign experts because neither Kim Jong Un nor Kim Jong Il were mentioned in North Korean state media before they became adults.

Some observers say Kim Jong Un likely aimed to shore up public support for his plan to extend the family's rule by repeatedly disclosing Kim Ju Ae in public events.

DOWNLOAD THE 9NEWS APP: Stay across all the latest in breaking news, sport, politics and the weather via our news app and get notifications sent straight to your smartphone. Available on the Apple App Store and Google Play.

Man killed in drive-by shooting across the road from police station

Homicide squad detectives are investigating after a young man was fatally shot in a drive-by attack across the road from a Melbourne police station.

Two men were walking near the intersection of Brunswick and King William Streets in Fitzroy, just across from Fitzroy police station, shortly after midnight when the attack happened.

Detective Acting Inspector Brett Meadows said shots were fired at the men from a moving vehicle.

READ MORE: Perth scientists stumble upon 'stunning' rare meat-eating plant

Upon arrival, a male was located with life-threatening injuries.

A police officer who was alone at the closed police station rushed to the scene after hearing one or two shots and radioing for back up.

"He went out to investigate and located a male on the footpath with head injuries consistent with a gunshot wound, provided first aid immediately," Meadows said.

The other man who was with the victim at the time fled.

Police are urging him to come forward.

It is understood a vehicle fled the scene prior to police arriving.No arrests have been made.

Emergency services worked on the man, however, he died at the scene.

He is yet to be identified.

READ MORE: First victim of Swiss Alps bar fire identified, scores fighting for life in hospitals

A car allegedly fled the scene before police arrived, and no arrests have been made.

Police are looking for at least one offender.

Investigations are still under way as police investigate the circumstances of the shooting.

Anyone with information should call Crime Stoppers.

Sign up here to receive our daily newsletters and breaking news alerts, sent straight to your inbox.

Four states set to swelter with 40-degree days next week

Multiple states are set to swelter next week as a hot air mass spreads across parts of Australia.

The weather system will push temperatures towards the mid-to-high 40s in parts of Western Australia, South Australia, Victoria and NSW.

The hot weather is expected to intensify over WA from this weekend before spreading across southern, central and south-eastern Australia next week.

READ MORE: How to cool down on a swelteringly hot night

An extremely hot air mass will spread across the country this week, pushing temperatures towards the mid-to-high 40s in parts of Western Australia, South Australia, Victoria and New South Wales.

READ MORE: How pale roads can cool baking Australian suburbs

Temperatures are expected to reach the low-to-mid 40s in WA by Monday, according to Weatherzone.

The heat will then spread about Tuesday into South Australia and central Australia.

The weather system will then move to Victoria and NSW from Wednesday and Thursday.

The peak of the heat is expected to occur inland but capital cities won't escape.

Melbourne could reach between 30 and 39 degrees each day from Wednesday to Friday next week, while Adelaide's temperatures could range from about 39 to 41 degrees.

READ MORE: Sydney scientists believe they have found a way to cut air con costs this summer

Temperatures are expected to be hotter in the regional Victorian city of Mildura, with the potential for 45 degrees on Thursday.

"It's too early to know exactly how hot this air mass will be as it spreads across Australia next week," Weatherzone meteorologist Ben Domensino said.

"However, numerous computer models suggest temperatures could reach around 45 to 46 degrees in parts of WA, SA, Vic and NSW, with some spots possibly reaching about 48 degrees.

"The hottest weather over the coming week will occur inland, away from Australia's state capital cities, but the major cities won't completely escape the heat."

Heatwave conditions are expected to impact parts of every state and territory next week but the highest temperatures are likely to be felt in WA, South Australia, Victoria and Tasmania.

DOWNLOAD THE 9NEWS APP: Stay across all the latest in breaking news, sport, politics and the weather via our news app and get notifications sent straight to your smartphone. Available on the Apple App Store and Google Play.