You know heads would be rolling&nbsp;when something goes unplanned in front of North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un. But you can expect even worse if the driver of his speedboat crashes him right into the trees, causing his taut hairstyle to come loose.

That's exactly what happened when the North Korean leader stepped on a speedboat to inspect flooded farmlands after a heavy downpour.

Videos have emerged on social media, showing Kim sitting in&nbsp;a vessel, along with other officials.

But as the boat picks up speed, it crashes right into trees, causing the obese leader to briefly fly over his seat. Soon after, he is filmed fixing his hairstyle.&nbsp; 
 
Disclaimer: WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of photos, videos and information shared on social media.

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🇰🇵⚔️🌴 Kim Jong Un's boat crashed into a tree.. 
 
This footage is probably the last we will get to see of this captain and his family. At least for the next three generations. 
 
The tree has already been sentenced to 200 years of hard labour in the country's greenhouse with the… <a href="https://t.co/MF3Wlrq35D">pic.twitter.com/MF3Wlrq35D</a>
— Astraia Intel (@astraiaintel) <a href="https://twitter.com/astraiaintel/status/1819340424512766271?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 2, 2024</a></blockquote>
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And then, he points towards&nbsp;the camera behind him, leaving it to social media to guess what his gesture would have meant for the fate of the poor driver.

<h2>Reaction on social media</h2>

Social media users didn't pull any punches. One user noted Kim's hand gesture in the end. "Thats it... the guy driving the boat will never be seen again. and im not even joking.," the user said.

"Imagine if he fell in lol," a second user said jokingly.

Also read:&nbsp;<a data-ved="2ahUKEwjC8bPt3daHAxWBQPUHHY2mCDwQxfQBKAB6BAgMEAE" href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/pakistani-content-creator-embraces-south-indian-look-viral-video-746255" jsname="YKoRaf" ping="/url?sa=t&amp;source=web&amp;rct=j&amp;opi=89978449&amp;url=https://www.wionews.com/trending/pakistani-content-creator-embraces-south-indian-look-viral-video-746255&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjC8bPt3daHAxWBQPUHHY2mCDwQxfQBKAB6BAgMEAE">Pakistani content creator embraces South Indian look: Viral video</a>

"That will call for ballistic missile testing and floating balloons of trash for sure," a third user said.

<h2>Heavy rains in North Korea</h2>

Kim had travelled to regions bordering China in the aftermath of heavy rains and ensuing flooding.&nbsp;

Thousands of homes were inundated with water in&nbsp;the city of Sinuiju and Uiju County.

Also read:&nbsp;<a data-ved="2ahUKEwjC8bPt3daHAxWBQPUHHY2mCDwQxfQBKAB6BAgIEAE" href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/indian-man-almost-dies-after-inserting-65cm-long-eel-up-his-anus-to-seek-sensations-746595" jsname="YKoRaf" ping="/url?sa=t&amp;source=web&amp;rct=j&amp;opi=89978449&amp;url=https://www.wionews.com/trending/indian-man-almost-dies-after-inserting-65cm-long-eel-up-his-anus-to-seek-sensations-746595&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjC8bPt3daHAxWBQPUHHY2mCDwQxfQBKAB6BAgIEAE">Indian man almost dies after inserting 65cm long eel up his anus to 'seek sensations'</a>

Reports from China also pointed towards heavy rains, with Chinese media reporting at least 30 deaths and 35 cases of missing people.

(With inputs from agencies)

You know heads would be rolling when something goes unplanned in front of North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un. But you can expect even worse if the driver of his speedboat crashes him right into the trees, causing his taut hairstyle to come loose.

You know heads would be rolling when something goes unplanned in front of North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un. But you can expect even worse if the driver of his speedboat crashes him right into the trees, causing his taut hairstyle to come loose. That's exactly what happened when the North Korean leader stepped on a speedboat to inspect flooded farmlands after a heavy downpour. Videos have emerged on social media, showing Kim sitting in a vessel, along with other officials. But as the boat picks up speed, it crashes right into trees, causing the obese leader to briefly fly over his seat. Soon after, he is filmed fixing his hairstyle. Disclaimer: WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of photos, videos and information shared on social media. 🇰🇵⚔️🌴 Kim Jong Un's boat crashed into a tree.. This footage is probably the last we will get to see of this captain and his family. At least for the next three generations. The tree has already been sentenced to 200 years of hard labour in the country's greenhouse with the… pic.twitter.com/MF3Wlrq35D — Astraia Intel (@astraiaintel) August 2, 2024 × And then, he points towards the camera behind him, leaving it to social media to guess what his gesture would have meant for the fate of the poor driver. Reaction on social media Social media users didn't pull any punches. One user noted Kim's hand gesture in the end. "Thats it... the guy driving the boat will never be seen again. and im not even joking.," the user said. "Imagine if he fell in lol," a second user said jokingly. Also read: Pakistani content creator embraces South Indian look: Viral video "That will call for ballistic missile testing and floating balloons of trash for sure," a third user said. Heavy rains in North Korea Kim had travelled to regions bordering China in the aftermath of heavy rains and ensuing flooding. Thousands of homes were inundated with water in the city of Sinuiju and Uiju County. Also read: Indian man almost dies after inserting 65cm long eel up his anus to 'seek sensations' Reports from China also pointed towards heavy rains, with Chinese media reporting at least 30 deaths and 35 cases of missing people. (With inputs from agencies)

Watch: Kim Jong Un's boat driver crashes him right into tree, social media reacts

North Korea has reportedly demolished a major monument which symbolised the goal of reconciliation with South Korea following the orders of their leader Kim Jong Un who called the massive structure that his father constructed in the capital city Pyongyang, an “eyesore,” earlier this month.&nbsp;

While the move seems to be in line with the North Korean leader’s rhetoric and volatile temperament, and given the rise of tensions between Pyongyang and Seoul, it is important to know what the monument symbolised and why it’s reported razing is making the headlines.&nbsp;

<h2>About the Arch of Reunification</h2>

The Arch of Reunification, officially known as the Monument to the Three-Point Charter for National Reunification, is said to be one of the major monuments in the North Korean capital city and is located on the Pyongyang-Kaesong (reunification highway).&nbsp;

WATCH |&nbsp;North Korea says Arch of Reunification disappeared from Pyongyang

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However, satellite imagery of Pyongyang, last week, showed that the 30 metre-tall and 61.5- metre&nbsp;wide symbol was no longer there, according to a report by NK News, an online outlet that monitors North Korea.

The American website in its report also stressed that the images are ‘hazy’ at best and one snapshot was taken Tuesday (Jan 23) by an inter-Korean rail crossing at Kaesong did not clearly show any construction crews. Therefore, a higher-definition picture is needed to be certain that the monument has in fact disappeared.&nbsp;

The arch was unveiled a year after the 2000 inter-Korea summit between Kim’s father North Korean leader Kim Jong-il, and former South Korean President Kim Dae-jung. The summit resulted in a joint declaration, in which both countries agreed to pursue reunification through peaceful means.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/north-koreas-kim-calls-for-more-practical-offensive-war-deterrence-to-counter-us-south-korea-581166">North Korea’s Kim calls for more ‘practical, offensive’ war deterrence to counter US, South Korea</a>

The 30-metre-tall monument was symbolic of the three charters – self-reliance, peace and national cooperation, according to South Korean government records. The arch symbolised reunification plans through diplomacy put forward by Kim’s father.&nbsp;

Since Kim Jong Un’s grandfather, Kim Il-Sung took over the premiership of the newly formed Democratic People’s Republic of Korea &nbsp;(DPRK), North Korea’s official name, in 1948, he had hoped to reunify with South Korea. However, he took a different approach.&nbsp;

Kim Il-Sung unlike his son tried to reunify Korea by force and launched an invasion of South Korea triggering the Korean War, which ended in a stalemate three years later.&nbsp;

<h2>Rise in tensions between the two Koreas</h2>

Earlier this month, in a speech at North Korea’s rubber-stamp parliament, Kim called for the country’s constitution to be changed to ensure that South Korea is defined as “the most hostile state,” reported the state media KCNA.&nbsp;

According to Kim, the constitution should be amended to educate North Koreans that South Korea is a “primary foe and invariable principal enemy”.&nbsp;

During the same speech, on January 15, he had also called the massive monument that his father constructed in Pyongyang an “eyesore” and vowed to get rid of it.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/nkoreas-kim-calls-for-skorea-to-be-seen-as-the-most-hostile-state-threatens-war-680451">&nbsp;North Korea’s Kim calls for South Korea to be seen as ‘the most hostile state’, threatens war</a>

It was around the same time that North Korea had abolished agencies that oversaw cooperation and reunification, indicating that Kim was no longer interested in seeking reconciliation with South Korea.&nbsp;

Additionally, three organisations dealing with unification and inter-Korean tourism were also shut down, the state media had reported, earlier this month. On January 15, Kim said Pyongyang would not recognise the two countries’ de facto maritime border, the Northern Limit Line (NLL).&nbsp;

Last year, in April, the South Korean Unification Ministry said that North Korea had not responded to their regularly held calls, adding that this is the first time since October 2021 that all inter-Korean military lines or liaison calls have stopped for more than a day.&nbsp;

The communication lines were first opened in 2018 when the two countries set up hotlines after a series of summits aimed at decreasing tensions in the region. However, it was not the first time that North Korea unilaterally shut down the communications links in a display of anger.

The line was restored in July 2021 following North Korea’s shutdown for nearly a year after its anger over South Korean activists sending leaflets critical of Kim’s regime across the border by balloon.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/day-after-seouls-claims-n-korea-confirms-kim-oversaw-launch-of-cruise-missiles-from-submarine-684638">Day after Seoul's claims, N Korea confirms Kim oversaw launch of cruise missiles from submarine</a>

The communication&nbsp;was cut off in 2023 also around the time when South Korea was holding drills with the United States, which North Korea has long viewed as an enemy. Pyongyang, which reportedly has nuclear weapons, also tested a record number of missiles last year.&nbsp;

It also seems like it is going to be more of the same in 2024, as within the first month of the year, North Korea has already tested a number of missiles, including a cruise missile dubbed Pulhwasal-3-3, on January 24 and again on January 28.&nbsp;

This was after North Korea had fired more than 200 artillery rounds near a disputed maritime border with South Korea prompting Seoul to take “corresponding” action with live fire drills. The exchange prompted the evacuation of nearly 2,000 residents of two remote South Korean islands to bomb shelters.&nbsp;

<h2>An ‘unachieved wish’</h2>

Kim Jong Un was 26 years old when he took over North Korea, days after his father’s death, and like his predecessors, he too has ruled the country with an iron fist ever since. However, unlike his father and grandfather, the incumbent leader does not seem to be interested in the idea of reunification.&nbsp;

Cho Han-bum, a researcher at the Korea Institute for National Unification told AFP, earlier this month, that the North Korean system has long been grounded on the idea of reunification, an unachieved wish of the country’s founding leader and Kim’s grandfather Kim II Sung.

“Now he is denying everything that his predecessors have done,” said Cho.

Therefore, if confirmed, getting rid of his father’s monument would be a big step for Kim, who was known to be his favourite son and hence became his successor.

However, it seems as though since his grandfather’s invasion and his father’s diplomacy did not work, Kim is charting his own course, which involves ramping up military rhetoric and posturing.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/explained-what-is-us-south-korea-nuclear-weapons-deal-about-is-this-end-of-peace-in-korean-peninsula-586684">Explained | What is US-South Korea nuclear weapons deal about? Is this end of peace in Korean Peninsula?</a>

While reunification has long been on the North Korean agenda, Kim, earlier this month said that he had concluded that unification with the South was no longer possible and accused Seoul of seeking the collapse of his regime and unification by absorption.&nbsp;

The Korea Institute for National Unification, a think-tank, said Kim has all but removed the ‘concept of unity’ from North Korean policy, reported Metro newspaper.&nbsp;

Therefore, by reportedly removing the Arch of Reunification ‘the history of inter-Korean relations was completely denied’ and the ‘geopolitical risks’ to South Korea will continue to rise, analysts added.

<h2>The US factor</h2>

Pyongyang’s hatred towards Washington can be traced back to the Korean War where then-US President Harry Truman’s declaration prompted nearly two dozen countries to send troops and medical units to back South Korea, during the war.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/in-pics-thousands-of-north-koreans-holds-rallies-denouncing-us-609023">'Vow of revenge': North Koreans rally to mark 73rd anniversary of Korean War, denounce US</a>

Meanwhile, North Korea was supported by both the Soviet Union and China. Therefore, the alliances over the years have not changed all that much. Even today, Pyongyang maintains good relations with Beijing and Moscow.&nbsp;

Except for Kim’s brief “bromance” with former US President Donald Trump when he was the commander-in-chief, not like the much-awaited meeting between the two leaders produced any tangible results.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, the US and South Korea&nbsp;have conducted a number of drills amid Kim’s increasing military rhetoric and posturing. Last year, Washington, for the first time since the 1980s also deployed a nuclear-armed ballistic missile submarine (SSBN) to a South Korean port.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

North Korea has reportedly demolished a major monument which symbolised the goal of reconciliation with South Korea following the orders of their leader Kim Jong Un who called the massive structure that his father constructed in the capital city Pyongyang, an “eyesore,” earlier this month.

North Korea has reportedly demolished a major monument which symbolised the goal of reconciliation with South Korea following the orders of their leader Kim Jong Un who called the massive structure that his father constructed in the capital city Pyongyang, an “eyesore,” earlier this month. While the move seems to be in line with the North Korean leader’s rhetoric and volatile temperament, and given the rise of tensions between Pyongyang and Seoul, it is important to know what the monument symbolised and why it’s reported razing is making the headlines. About the Arch of Reunification The Arch of Reunification, officially known as the Monument to the Three-Point Charter for National Reunification, is said to be one of the major monuments in the North Korean capital city and is located on the Pyongyang-Kaesong (reunification highway). WATCH | North Korea says Arch of Reunification disappeared from Pyongyang However, satellite imagery of Pyongyang, last week, showed that the 30 metre-tall and 61.5- metre wide symbol was no longer there, according to a report by NK News, an online outlet that monitors North Korea. The American website in its report also stressed that the images are ‘hazy’ at best and one snapshot was taken Tuesday (Jan 23) by an inter-Korean rail crossing at Kaesong did not clearly show any construction crews. Therefore, a higher-definition picture is needed to be certain that the monument has in fact disappeared. The arch was unveiled a year after the 2000 inter-Korea summit between Kim’s father North Korean leader Kim Jong-il, and former South Korean President Kim Dae-jung. The summit resulted in a joint declaration, in which both countries agreed to pursue reunification through peaceful means. ALSO READ | North Korea’s Kim calls for more ‘practical, offensive’ war deterrence to counter US, South Korea The 30-metre-tall monument was symbolic of the three charters – self-reliance, peace and national cooperation, according to South Korean government records. The arch symbolised reunification plans through diplomacy put forward by Kim’s father. Since Kim Jong Un’s grandfather, Kim Il-Sung took over the premiership of the newly formed Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), North Korea’s official name, in 1948, he had hoped to reunify with South Korea. However, he took a different approach. Kim Il-Sung unlike his son tried to reunify Korea by force and launched an invasion of South Korea triggering the Korean War, which ended in a stalemate three years later. Rise in tensions between the two Koreas Earlier this month, in a speech at North Korea’s rubber-stamp parliament, Kim called for the country’s constitution to be changed to ensure that South Korea is defined as “the most hostile state,” reported the state media KCNA. According to Kim, the constitution should be amended to educate North Koreans that South Korea is a “primary foe and invariable principal enemy”. During the same speech, on January 15, he had also called the massive monument that his father constructed in Pyongyang an “eyesore” and vowed to get rid of it. ALSO READ | North Korea’s Kim calls for South Korea to be seen as ‘the most hostile state’, threatens war It was around the same time that North Korea had abolished agencies that oversaw cooperation and reunification, indicating that Kim was no longer interested in seeking reconciliation with South Korea. Additionally, three organisations dealing with unification and inter-Korean tourism were also shut down, the state media had reported, earlier this month. On January 15, Kim said Pyongyang would not recognise the two countries’ de facto maritime border, the Northern Limit Line (NLL). Last year, in April, the South Korean Unification Ministry said that North Korea had not responded to their regularly held calls, adding that this is the first time since October 2021 that all inter-Korean military lines or liaison calls have stopped for more than a day. The communication lines were first opened in 2018 when the two countries set up hotlines after a series of summits aimed at decreasing tensions in the region. However, it was not the first time that North Korea unilaterally shut down the communications links in a display of anger. The line was restored in July 2021 following North Korea’s shutdown for nearly a year after its anger over South Korean activists sending leaflets critical of Kim’s regime across the border by balloon. ALSO READ | Day after Seoul's claims, N Korea confirms Kim oversaw launch of cruise missiles from submarine The communication was cut off in 2023 also around the time when South Korea was holding drills with the United States, which North Korea has long viewed as an enemy. Pyongyang, which reportedly has nuclear weapons, also tested a record number of missiles last year. It also seems like it is going to be more of the same in 2024, as within the first month of the year, North Korea has already tested a number of missiles, including a cruise missile dubbed Pulhwasal-3-3, on January 24 and again on January 28. This was after North Korea had fired more than 200 artillery rounds near a disputed maritime border with South Korea prompting Seoul to take “corresponding” action with live fire drills. The exchange prompted the evacuation of nearly 2,000 residents of two remote South Korean islands to bomb shelters. An ‘unachieved wish’ Kim Jong Un was 26 years old when he took over North Korea, days after his father’s death, and like his predecessors, he too has ruled the country with an iron fist ever since. However, unlike his father and grandfather, the incumbent leader does not seem to be interested in the idea of reunification. Cho Han-bum, a researcher at the Korea Institute for National Unification told AFP, earlier this month, that the North Korean system has long been grounded on the idea of reunification, an unachieved wish of the country’s founding leader and Kim’s grandfather Kim II Sung. “Now he is denying everything that his predecessors have done,” said Cho. Therefore, if confirmed, getting rid of his father’s monument would be a big step for Kim, who was known to be his favourite son and hence became his successor. However, it seems as though since his grandfather’s invasion and his father’s diplomacy did not work, Kim is charting his own course, which involves ramping up military rhetoric and posturing. ALSO READ | Explained | What is US-South Korea nuclear weapons deal about? Is this end of peace in Korean Peninsula? While reunification has long been on the North Korean agenda, Kim, earlier this month said that he had concluded that unification with the South was no longer possible and accused Seoul of seeking the collapse of his regime and unification by absorption. The Korea Institute for National Unification, a think-tank, said Kim has all but removed the ‘concept of unity’ from North Korean policy, reported Metro newspaper. Therefore, by reportedly removing the Arch of Reunification ‘the history of inter-Korean relations was completely denied’ and the ‘geopolitical risks’ to South Korea will continue to rise, analysts added. The US factor Pyongyang’s hatred towards Washington can be traced back to the Korean War where then-US President Harry Truman’s declaration prompted nearly two dozen countries to send troops and medical units to back South Korea, during the war. ALSO READ | 'Vow of revenge': North Koreans rally to mark 73rd anniversary of Korean War, denounce US Meanwhile, North Korea was supported by both the Soviet Union and China. Therefore, the alliances over the years have not changed all that much. Even today, Pyongyang maintains good relations with Beijing and Moscow. Except for Kim’s brief “bromance” with former US President Donald Trump when he was the commander-in-chief, not like the much-awaited meeting between the two leaders produced any tangible results. Meanwhile, the US and South Korea have conducted a number of drills amid Kim’s increasing military rhetoric and posturing. Last year, Washington, for the first time since the 1980s also deployed a nuclear-armed ballistic missile submarine (SSBN) to a South Korean port. (With inputs from agencies)

Explained | Kim Jong Un reportedly tears down father’s reunification monument. Why is it a big deal?

North Korea's supreme leader Kim Jong Un toured key weapons factories making missile engines, artillery etc. from Thursday (August 4) to Saturday (August 5) and instructed them to boost capacity as an important part of bolstering the country's defence capabilities, the news agency Reuters reported on Sunday citing state media.

North Korea's supreme leader Kim Jong Un toured key weapons factories making missile engines, artillery etc. from Thursday (August 4) to Saturday (August 5) and instructed them to boost capacity as an important part of bolstering the country's defence capabilities, the news agency Reuters reported on Sunday citing state media. Kim's inspections included the production of engines for strategic cruise missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), as well as shells for super large-calibre multiple-rocket launchers and transporter-erector-launchers. His unusual visits to arms production facilities over several days come as Pyongyang pushes to develop various strategic and conventional weapons. According to a report by the news agency KCNA, Kim cited improved precision processing and modernised automation in the production of large-calibre multiple-rocket launcher shells. Also read | North Korea an 'important partner', says Russian Defence Minister Shoigu hailing historic cooperation The supreme leader also called for mass production of various kinds of "cutting-edge strategic weapon engines... and thus make a great contribution to bringing about a revolution in developing new strategic weapons of our style," the report added. Kim was photographed firing different types of assault rifles. Inspections amid US, S. Korea preparing to hold military exercises Kim's inspections of the key weapons factories come amid the United States and South Korea preparing for their next round of military exercises planned for later in August to counter the growing North Korean threat. Tensions on the Korean Peninsula are at their highest level in years as the pace of North Korea's missile tests and the joint military drills between the US and South Korea have intensified. Possible military cooperation with Russia According to a report by the news agency Associated Press on Sunday, some experts have said that Kim's inspections of the weapons factories could be related to possible military cooperation with Russia that may involve North Korean supplies of artillery and other ammunition as Russian President Vladimir Putin reaches out to other countries for support in his government's ongoing war in Ukraine. Last month, Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu was in North Korea where he and Kim discussed military issues and the regional security environment. At a large defence exhibition, Kim gave Shoigu a tour of the display of ballistic missiles and what appeared to be a new drone. The Russian defence minister also participated in a major military parade held by Pyongyang on July 27 to mark the 70th anniversary of the end of the Korean War. Cheong Seong Chang, an analyst at South Korea’s Sejong Institute, told the Associated Press that Kim’s visits to the factories likely had a dual goal of encouraging the modernisation of domestically produced weapons and examining artillery and other supplies that can possibly be exported to Russia. Kim’s comments at the artillery factory about improving the quality of shells and the need to develop new types of ammunition, which he described as key to the country’s “national defence economic work,” clearly communicate an intent for exports to Moscow, Chang added. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

North Korea's Kim Jong Un tours key weapons factories, fires assault rifles

Online as well as the political world is abuzz over an interesting development. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has been seen with a smartphone. Usually, this would be a normal thing but when you consider that North Korea is banned from import or export of electronic devices, question arises, is the top leader of North Korea using a smuggled phone? Moreover, the 'foldable phone' has featured in a photo taken by the country's official KCNA news agency.

The device, silver in colour, was seen encased in a black cover on a table Kim Jong Un is sitting at when he was observing the launch of North Korea's newest and most powerful ballistic missile this week. It was a solid-fuel Hwasong-18 intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM).

AFP reported that the phone looked strikingly similar to Samsung's Galaxy Z Flip phone or China's Huawei Pocket S phones.

The photo fuelled speculation immediately.

"If the object in the photo is a foldable phone, it is highly likely that it was secretly smuggled to North Korea via China," South Korea's Joongang Ilbo newspaper reported.&nbsp;

Kim Jong Un is known for his love of gadgets. He has in past, been pictured using what looked like Apple products, including iPads and Macbooks.

United States' Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) estimates that only about 19 per cent of the North Korean population has access to mobile phones.

<h2>The missile launch</h2>

The ICBM launched on July 12 has been fired only once before, in April.

On Wednesday, the missile flew 1001 kilometres at a maximum altitude of 6,648 km before splashing into the East Sea, according to KCNA. The East Sea is also known as the Sea of Japan.

KCNA further said that the launch was a "grand explosion" that shook "the whole planet". Footage on the state media showed the missile blasting off into the sky.

Kim vowed that "a series of stronger military offensive" would be launched until the United States and South Korea change their policies towards North Korea, the agency added.&nbsp;

Citing the "unstable situation" on the Korean peninsula, Kim also called for "more intense efforts" to boost North Korea's nuclear arsenal.&nbsp;

The confirmation of the launch -- which the South Korean military had reported on Wednesday -- came with relations between the two Koreas at one of their lowest points ever.&nbsp;

Diplomacy has stalled. Kim Jong Un has called for ramping up weapons deployment. This includes tactical nukes.

(With inputs from agencies)

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

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Online as well as the political world is abuzz over an interesting development. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has been seen with a smartphone. Usually, this would be a normal thing but when you consider that North Korea is banned from import or export of electronic devices, question arises, is the top leader of North Korea using a smuggled phone?

Online as well as the political world is abuzz over an interesting development. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has been seen with a smartphone. Usually, this would be a normal thing but when you consider that North Korea is banned from import or export of electronic devices, question arises, is the top leader of North Korea using a smuggled phone? Moreover, the 'foldable phone' has featured in a photo taken by the country's official KCNA news agency. The device, silver in colour, was seen encased in a black cover on a table Kim Jong Un is sitting at when he was observing the launch of North Korea's newest and most powerful ballistic missile this week. It was a solid-fuel Hwasong-18 intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). AFP reported that the phone looked strikingly similar to Samsung's Galaxy Z Flip phone or China's Huawei Pocket S phones. The photo fuelled speculation immediately. "If the object in the photo is a foldable phone, it is highly likely that it was secretly smuggled to North Korea via China," South Korea's Joongang Ilbo newspaper reported. Kim Jong Un is known for his love of gadgets. He has in past, been pictured using what looked like Apple products, including iPads and Macbooks. United States' Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) estimates that only about 19 per cent of the North Korean population has access to mobile phones. The missile launch The ICBM launched on July 12 has been fired only once before, in April. On Wednesday, the missile flew 1001 kilometres at a maximum altitude of 6,648 km before splashing into the East Sea, according to KCNA. The East Sea is also known as the Sea of Japan. KCNA further said that the launch was a "grand explosion" that shook "the whole planet". Footage on the state media showed the missile blasting off into the sky. Kim vowed that "a series of stronger military offensive" would be launched until the United States and South Korea change their policies towards North Korea, the agency added. Citing the "unstable situation" on the Korean peninsula, Kim also called for "more intense efforts" to boost North Korea's nuclear arsenal. The confirmation of the launch -- which the South Korean military had reported on Wednesday -- came with relations between the two Koreas at one of their lowest points ever. Diplomacy has stalled. Kim Jong Un has called for ramping up weapons deployment. This includes tactical nukes. (With inputs from agencies) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

'Is it smuggled'? Kim Jong Un flaunts smartphone while electronics imports to North Korea remain banned

North Korea's state-run television KRT on Thursday (January 2) broadcast a new video of leader Kim Jong Un riding white horse at a sacred mountain with his aides in late 2019.

North Korea's state TV airs video of Kim riding horse at Mount Paektu

North Korea's state-run television released still photographs of its leader Kim Jong Un watching latest weapon test and said Kim oversaw the testing of a super-large multiple rocket launcher.

Kim Jong-un overseas launch of unidentified projectiles