Kim Jong-un has been pictured casually laughing with his generals as North Korea blasted a rocket over Japan.
Dramatic images showing the moment were released by the secretive state on Wednesday as tensions mounted and Prime Minister Theresa May landed in Japan for a scheduled visit.
The pictures show the gleeful despot accompanied by officials for the successful missile launch, which caused security alerts as it flew over Japan before landing in the Pacific Ocean.
In another snap, the dictator was pictured holding a white stick some suggested could be a cigarette – sparking speculation the leader was nonchalantly smoking while his actions risked causing a major international crisis.
After landing in Kyoto, Mrs May ticked off the Chinese and urged the nation to do more to stop its neighbour’s provocative missile launches.
The PM landed in Japan on Wednesday morning just 36 hours after the launch.
She said: "We are very clear that the actions of North Korea are illegal. I think that they are significant actions of provocation.
"I think it is outrageous. That's why will be working with our international partners, as we have done previously, but we will be re-doubling our efforts with our international partners to put pressure on North Korea to stop these illegal activities."
"China has a key role to play here in terms of the pressure they can bring on North Korea," she added.
The Prime Minister refused to rule out future British military action against North Korea or cyber warfare after being quizzed by reporters four times on the issue.
Mrs May said: "I think what I have made clear is what the UK is looking at and what the UK doing and that is looking at pressure on North Korea, which is discussions about further sanctions and it's about the sort of change that China can bring. I think they are a key player in this."