Kim Jong-un shed tears over his handling of COVID-19 during anniversary speech

The Supreme Leader of North Korea begins to cry during speech amid rising pressures on his leadership due to COVID-19.

Kim Jong-un apologised in Pyongyang at the 75th anniversary of the Workers' Party, for his failure guiding North Korea through the pandemic.

He reportedly said: "Our people have placed trust, as high as the sky and as deep as the sea, in me, but I have failed to always live up to it satisfactorily,"

Although the number of coronavirus cases and deaths in North Korea is disputed in many media outlets, the country has faced several other challenges from the aftershocks of the pandemic. The regime has suffered a significant loss in trade with its neighbour, China, due to travel restrictions and border closures.

Another important take away from the speech, was its initial main subject, the unveiling of a new long-range ballistic missile. This comes despite urges from South Korea and the US, to continue denuclearisation negotiations.

The North Korean leader, seemingly addressing opponents to the country military capabilities, warned that he would "fully mobilise" his forces if threatened.