Kim Jong Un watches the launch of a Hwasong-12 missile

The North Korean leader Kim Jong-un can be seen smiling and laughing as North Korea sent a inter-continental ballistic missile (ICBM) soaring over Japan. Kim was pictured lounging in a chair as he watched the missile launch several hundred yards away. His outdoor viewing area was adorned with a desk, map and binoculars. Other photographs show the leader gazing upwards with military officials watching data on two computer screens behind him.

The missile launch was a success, with the ICBM passing over Japan, causing panic for the millions of people below.  Japanese citizens were woken by emergency text alerts from the government warning them North Korea had fired a missile and to find shelter.  Sirens rang out across towns and cities and people were urged to take shelter in basements or “sturdy buildings”.