This picture taken on September 9, 2021 and released from North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) shows a parade of 'paramilitary and public security forces' to celebrate the 73rd founding anniversary of North Korea at Kim Il Sung Square in Pyongyang. (Photo by KCNA via KNS/AFP Photo/Stringer)





Fireworks light up the skies over the North Korean capital, Pyongyang, as a parade is held to mark the 73rd anniversary of the nation’s founding at Kim Il-sung Square on September 9, 2021. (Photo by KCNA via KNS/AFP Photo/Stringer)





A health official sprays disinfectant as part of preventative measures against Covid-19, in the Daesong Department Store in Pyongyang on September 27, 2021. (Photo by Kim Won Jin/AFP Photo)





This picture taken on September 28, 2021 and released from North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on September 29 shows the Academy of Defence Science of the DPRK test-firing a hypersonic missile Hwasong-8 newly developed by it in Toyang-ri, Ryongrim County of Jagang Province, North Korea. North Korea has successfully tested a new hypersonic gliding missile, state media reported Wednesday, in what would be the nuclear-armed nation's latest advance in weapons technology Tuesday's launch was of “great strategic significance”, the official Korean Central News Agency said, as the North seeks to increase its defence capabilities a “thousand-fold”. (Photo by KCNA via Reuters)





In this photo provided by the North Korean government, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, center, speaks in front of what the North says an intercontinental ballistic missile displayed at an exhibition of weapons systems in Pyongyang, North Korea, Monday, October 11, 2021. Kim reviewed the rare exhibition and vowed to build an “invincible” military, as he accused the United States of creating regional tensions and lacking action to prove it has no hostile intent toward the North, state media reported Tuesday. Independent journalists were not given access to cover the event depicted in this image distributed by the North Korean government. The content of this image is as provided and cannot be independently verified. Korean language watermark on image as provided by source reads: “KCNA” which is the abbreviation for Korean Central News Agency. (Photo by Korean Central News Agency/Korea News Service via AP Photo)





Military planes perform a flypast during the Defence Development Exhibition, in Pyongyang, North Korea, October 12, 2021. (Photo by KCNA via Reuters)





Schoolchildren wash their hands to help curb the spread of the coronavirus before entering Kim Song Ju Primary School in Central District in Pyongyang, North Korea, Wednesday, October 13, 2021. (Photo by Cha Song Ho/AP Photo)





A boy and his mother walk in Kim Il Sung Square in Pyongyang on December 10, 2021. (Photo by Kim Won Jin/AFP Photo)





Citizens visit the bronze statues of their late leaders Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il on Mansu Hill in Pyongyang, North Korea Thursday, December 16, 2021, on the occasion of 10th anniversary of demise of Kim Jong Il. (Photo by Jon Chol Jin/AP Photo)





Citizens visit the bronze statues of their late leaders Kim Il Sung, left, and Kim Jong Il on Mansu Hill in Pyongyang, North Korea Thursday, December 16, 2021, on the occasion of 10th anniversary of demise of Kim Jong Il. (Photo by Jon Chol Jin/AP Photo)





Citizens visit the bronze statues of their late leaders Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il on Mansu Hill in Pyongyang, North Korea Thursday, December 16, 2021, on the occasion of 10th anniversary of demise of Kim Jong Il. (Photo by Jon Chol Jin/AP Photo)





Citizens visit the bronze statues of their late leaders Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il on Mansu Hill in Pyongyang, North Korea Thursday, December 16, 2021, on the occasion of 10th anniversary of demise of Kim Jong Il. (Photo by Jon Chol Jin/AP Photo)





Citizens enjoy the New Year's performance on Kim Il Sung Square in Pyongyang, North Korea, Saturday, January 1, 2022. (Photo by Cha Song Ho/AP Photo)





National flag hoisting ceremony is held on Kim Il Sung Square in Pyongyang, North Korea, on New Year's Day Saturday, January 1, 2022. (Photo by Cha Song Ho/AP Photo)





Citizens watch the fireworks celebrating the New Year on Kim Il Sung Square in Pyongyang, North Korea, Saturday, January 1, 2022. (Photo by Cha Song Ho/AP Photo)





People gather during national flag hoisting ceremony on Kim Il Sung Square in Pyongyang, North Korea, Saturday, January 1, 2022. (Photo by Cha Song Ho/AP Photo)





Citizens enjoy the New Year's performance on Kim Il Sung Square in Pyongyang, North Korea, Saturday, January 1, 2022. (Photo by Cha Song Ho/AP Photo)





This photo provided by the North Korean government, shows what it says a test launch of a hypersonic missile in North Korea Wednesday, January 5, 2022. Independent journalists were not given access to cover the event depicted in this image distributed by the North Korean government. The content of this image is as provided and cannot be independently verified. Korean language watermark on image as provided by source reads: “KCNA” which is the abbreviation for Korean Central News Agency. (Photo by Korean Central News Agency/Korea News Service via AP Photo)





In this picture taken on January 5, 2022, people take part in a demonstration march after the Pyongyang City rally to carry out the decision of the 4th Plenary Meeting of the 8th Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, at Kim Il Sung Square in Pyongyang. (Photo by Kim Won Jin/AFP Photo)





People visit the statues of former North Korean leaders Kim Il Sung, left, and Kim Jong Il on Mansu Hill in Pyongyang, North Korea, on the occasion of Lunar New Year holidays on Tuesday, February 1, 2022. (Photo by Jon Chol Jin/AP Photo)