North Korea: Defiant Kim laughs during visit to make-up factory as nuclear threat looms

Pictures from the Korean Central News Agency show Kim Jong-un inspecting the research and production of the Pyongyang Cosmetics Factory. 

The dictator, who has been sabre-rattling for months with repeated missile tests, appeared in high spirits as he visited the make-up factory. 

His wife, the First Lady of North Korea, has hardly been photographed this year and has reportedly given birth to the couple’s third child. 

Ri Sol-ju, who mostly keeps away from the media apart from mandatory celebrations for missile launches, can be seen in some of the pictures looking on. 

She looked happy as she was pictured wearing a long black and white floral coat by her husband’s side. 

She was first identified as the wife of the leader in July 2012 when North Korean state media made it official. 

The 28-year-old is known for her taste in western fashion and has been seen carrying expensive designer bags like Dior and Chanel. 

Her demand for luxury goods has attracted criticism as North Korean civilians cope with famine, drought and poverty. 

The pot-bellied despot called for the production of “cosmetics of good quality with world competitive power” during his visit, according to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). 

The KCNA said: “He was very pleased, saying the variety of cosmetics produced by the factory are numerous and qualitative, and that not only pattern of their vessels but packing boxes are very nice.”

Kim was also accompanied by An Jong-su, vice-chairman of the Central Committee of the ruling Workers’ Party of Korea, and other leading committee members, including his sister Kim Yo-jong. 

According to KCNA, Kim “put forward the important tasks facing the factory” and gave the tasks for the second-stage production process. 

The pictures prove a stark contrast to Kim’s nuclear threats as world war three looms following India wading into the North Korea row by refusing to cut ties with the country despite pressures from the United States. 

US Defence Secretary Jim Mattis said on Saturday he could not imagine the US ever accepting a nuclear North Korea, warning its rapidly advancing nuclear and missile programs would undermine, not strengthen, its security.

Mr Mattis has been at pains during his week-long trip to Asia to stress that diplomacy is America’s preferred course, a message he returned to after top-level military talks in Seoul on Saturday and at the tense border area with North Korea on Friday.

Still, he warned Pyongyang that its military was no match for the U.S.-South Korean alliance, and that diplomacy was most effective “when backed by credible military force.”

He said: “Make no mistake – any attack on the United States, or our allies, will be defeated. And any use of nuclear weapons by the North will be met with a massive military response that is both effective and overwhelming.”