North Korean leader Kim Jong Un

North Korean leader 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

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un visits a key military factory in this undated photo released by North Korea's Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on August 14, 2023. KCNA via REUTERS

North Korea's Kim orders making more missiles ahead of S Korea, US drills

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un watches fire assault drill, at an undisclosed location in North Korea 10 March, 2023 in this photo released by North Korea's Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). KCNA via REUTERS

North Korea's Kim oversees simulated nuclear counterattack against US, South Korea

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

North Korea declares victory over Covid, suggests leader Kim had it

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un presides over the enlarged meeting of the Secretariat of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea in Pyongyang, North Korea, June 27, 2022 in this photo released by the country's Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). KCNA via REUTERS

North Korean leader convenes latest party meeting amid pandemic, heavy rains

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un presides over a politburo meeting of the ruling Workers' Party, amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, May 17, 2022, in this photo released May 18, 2022 by North Korea's Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). KCNA via REUTERS

N Korean leader slams officials' 'immaturity' in response to Covid outbreak

Fireworks explode over a nighttime military parade to mark the 90th anniversary of the founding of the Korean People's Revolutionary Army in Pyongyang, North Korea, in this undated photo released by North Korea's Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on 26 April, 2022. Photo: Reuters

N Korea displays ICBMs at huge parade, vows to boost nuclear arsenal

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un speaks during the ground-breaking ceremony for construction of Ryonpho Greenhouse Farm Held in Ryonpho area of Hamju County, South Hamgyong Province of the DPRK, North Korea in this photo released on February 18, 2022 by North Korea's Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). Photo: Reuters

N Korea's Kim calls for ramping up ideological campaigns amid 'worst difficulties'

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un delivers opening remarks during the 2nd Conference of Secretaries of Primary Committees of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK), in this photo released on February 27, 2022 by North Korea's Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). KCNA via REUTERS/File Photo

Kim says N Korea will keep developing 'formidable striking capabilities'

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un applauds at the 8th Congress of the Workers' Party in Pyongyang, North Korea, in this photo supplied by North Korea's Central News Agency (KCNA) on January 11, 2021.KCNA/via REUTERS

Defectors sue N Korea's Kim Jong Un in Tokyo over repatriations

The United Nations flag is seen during the 74th session of the United Nations General Assembly at U.N. headquarters in New York City, New York, U.S., September 24, 2019. REUTERS/Yana Paskova

UN rights report warns of North Korea 'Starvation Risk'

Kim Jong Un, the Supreme Leader of North Korea. File Photo: Reuters

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un lost nearly 44 pounds, say South Korean spies

Kim Jong Un, the Supreme Leader of North Korea. File Photo: Reuters

North Korea sees 'propaganda value' in slimmer Kim, analysts say