The North Korean party newspaper Rodong Sinmun reported on April 3 that Kim Jong Un inspected several service facilities in the fourth phase of the Hwaseong district in Pyongyang ahead of their opening.
The Hwaseong district, dubbed "Pyongyang's new town," is an area Kim pays particular attention to.
The paper said Kim Jong Un instructed officials to pursue "important tasks for creating a new service culture in our style."
Rodong Sinmun published multiple photos of Ju-ae. During the inspection, she and Kim alighted together from the rear seat of a private vehicle.
At a Hwaseong pet shop, the pair appeared affectionate as they handled puppies and kittens. While Kim sat and gestured—apparently giving instructions—Ju-ae turned away and idly stroked a cat atop a cat tower.
Observers noted that it would be unthinkable in North Korea for anyone to be distracted while Kim Jong Un was lecturing; Ju-ae's casual behavior, they say, signals a rise in her standing.
Photos also showed them standing side by side. In one, Ju-ae pressed a finger to Kim's chest in a motion resembling a poke—a striking image given how rare it is for anyone to touch the leader in public.
