On the 27th, Kim Jong-un, the General Secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea, presented new sniper rifles to senior party officials and military commanders during a ceremony at the Central Committee headquarters in Pyongyang, as reported by the Rodong Sinmun on the 28th. Among those receiving these rifles was Kim Yo-jong, who holds the position of Minister of the Central Committee. The North Korean state newspaper also featured a solo photo of Kim Joo-ae, Kim Jong-un's daughter, participating in shooting—a notable first release since her public appearance at a missile launch site alongside her father in November 2022.

During the ceremony, Kim Jong-un described the gift of the rifles as a token of appreciation for the dedication of officials serving the country and people, emphasizing that the rifles developed by the National Defense Science Institute are truly excellent weapons. The newspaper reported that the General Secretary personally awarded weapon certificates to each of the officials, including members of the Central Military Committee, key leaders of military organizations, and other major party officials.

In addition to the focus on Kim Yo-jong's new title as the Minister, which functions similarly to a Secretary-General in other political systems, the attention on Kim Joo-ae's photograph at the shooting ceremony suggests a potential elevation in her public profile. While the report did not contain specific references to Kim Joo-ae beyond the photo, her involvement in such a significant event could signal her increasing prominence in the regime, potentially indicating future roles in leadership or military-related affairs that resonate with the party's emphasis on loyalty and military strength.