North Korean leader Kim Jong Un

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un

Photos shared by state media showed Kim Jong Un puffing on a cigarette, accompanied by top officials as a missile soars into the early morning sky. Collage: BSS

North Korea tests hypersonic missiles, says nuclear forces ready for war

The operation represents a nightmare scenario for North Korea's leadership, which has long feared a so-called "decapitation strike" of that kind and accused Washington of seeking to...

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping pose for photos before their meeting in Beijing, China, on 2 September 2025. Photo: Reuters

China's Xi hosts 'old friend' Putin, North Korea's Kim in challenge to West

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un steps off a train during a visit to a flood-affected area near the border with China, in North Pyongan Province, North Korea, in this undated photo released 31 July 2024 by North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency. Photo: KCNA via REUTERS/File Photo

The slow train from North Korea: How Kim Jong Un travels to China

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un visits the Ministry of National Defense on the occasion of the 76th anniversary of the founding of the Korean People's Army in Pyongyang, North Korea in this picture released on February 9, 2024 by the Korean Central News Agency. Photo: KCNA via REUTERS/File Photo

North Korea's Kim visits Russian embassy as his generals meet Putin

Korean People's Army soldiers in Pyongyang. File Photo: Ed Jones/AFP

North Korea may end up sending Putin 100,000 troops for his war

Russian President Vladimir Putin embraces North Korean leader Kim Jong Un upon his arrival at an airport in Pyongyang, North Korea, in this image released by the Korean Central News Agency June 19, 2024. KCNA via REUTERS

Putin and Kim embrace in North Korea, vow new multipolar world

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un rides a horse during snowfall in Mount Paektu in this image released by North Korea's Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on October 16, 2019/ KCNA via Reuters

North Korea releases song praising leader Kim as 'friendly father'

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un speaks at a politburo meeting of the Worker's Party on the country's coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak response in this undated photo released by North Korea's Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on May 21, 2022. KCNA via REUTERS

Kim Jong Un set to helm key 2024 policy meeting at the peak of his powers

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un waves as he boards his train at a railway station in the town of Artyom outside Vladivostok in the Primorsky region, Russia, September 17, 2023. Government of Russia's Primorsky Krai/Handout via REUTERS/File Photo

Rifle, fur hat, drones: North Korea's Kim returns with gifts from Russia

Russia's President Vladimir Putin shakes hands with North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un during a meeting at the Vostochny Сosmodrome in the far eastern Amur region, Russia, September 13, 2023. Sputnik/Vladimir Smirnov/Pool via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY

N Korean leader ends Russia trip with 'heartfelt thanks' to Putin

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un arrives in Khasan, Russia, September 12, 2023, in this image released by North Korea's Korean Central News Agency on September 13, 2023. KCNA via REUTERS

N Korea's Kim stresses 'strategic importance' of Russia ties ahead of Putin summit

A view shows a bridge over the Golden Horn Bay in Vladivostok, Russia September 11, 2023. REUTERS/Evgenia Novozhenina

In Russia's Pacific port, residents await North Korea's Kim Jong Un

FILE PHOTO: FILE PHOTO: Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un pose for a photo during their meeting in Vladivostok, Russia, April 25, 2019. Alexander Zemlianichenko/Pool via REUTERS//File Photo

North Korea's Kim boards train bound for Russia and summit with Putin - Reports