Last Friday, North Korean state media aired deceptive footage to support its claim the country successfully test-launched its largest ever nuclear weapon the previous day, a weapons test reportedly called into question by U.S. and South Korean authorities. 

Now, Kim Jong Un is doubling down on the claims in a fresh appearance with defense industry workers who contributed to building the “Hwasong-17” intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), according to state media on Monday.

At a group photo session and banquet over the weekend, Kim told officials, scientists, technicians and workers on the Hwasong-17 project they were part of a “sacred