North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has recently showcased nuclear capabilities, possibly timed with reports of an impending visit by China's leader. Analysts suggest this move is also driven by anxieties over South Korea's nuclear submarine discussions with the US.

North Korean ruler Kim Jong-un’s recent display of nuclear-processing capabilities appears timed with reports of an impending visit by China’s leader and fuelled by insecurities about Seoul’s nuclear submarine talks with Washington. Analysts also say that mounting trilateral talks involving the United States, Japan and South Korea have galvanised Kim into doubling down on Pyongyang’s status as a nuclear-armed state. The state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) announced on Friday that Xi...