SEOUL, South Korea: North Korean media reported on March 11 that the country's leader, Kim Jong Un, and his teenage daughter observed the tests of strategic cruise missiles fired from a warship.

Korean Central News Agency flashed images of the father and daughter sitting in a conference room looking at a screen showing weapons being fired from the Choe Hyon, a year-old naval destroyer.

Kim Jong Un watched the missile launches by video on March 10 and stressed the need to keep a "strong and reliable nuclear deterrent," according to the state news agency Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). The report did not mention his daughter.

The girl, believed to be about 13 and reportedly named Kim Ju Ae, has appeared with her father at many major events since late 2022, including military parades and weapons tests. Last month, the National Intelligence Service said Kim Jong Un may be preparing to name her as his successor.

KCNA said the missiles struck target islands off North Korea's west coast. Kim Jong Un said the launches were meant to show the navy's offensive strength and help soldiers practice firing weapons.

Last week, Kim Jong Un personally watched similar cruise-missile launches from the warship Choe Hyon, but his daughter did not appear at the event.

The tests happened after the United States and South Korea began their spring military exercises. North Korea often says these drills are practice for an invasion.

On March 10, Kim Jong Un's sister, senior official Kim Yo Jong, said the exercises again show the U.S. and South Korea's strong hostility toward North Korea. She said North Korea will prove the strength of its deterrent to war.

The 11-day Freedom Shield drill began on March 9. It is mainly a computer-simulated command exercise and includes field training. North Korea often responds to these drills by conducting its own weapons tests.