North Korea’s missile tests and Kim Yo Jong’s multiple statements this week went unreported in domestic-facing news outlets — the silence suggests Pyongyang is aiming its military portrait outward while showing its own citizens a calmer picture focused on their livelihoods. 

State media highlighted troubles in capitalist countries while portraying friendly countries, such as China and Southeast Asian partners, in a positive light. 

Pyongyang also kept up its diplomacy with its allies, sending delegations to China and exchanging letters between Kim Jong Un and his Laotian counterpart Thongloun Sisoulith

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