Leather-clad Kim Jong Un fist pumps the air as he oversees 'super-large' rocket launcher drills in North Korea - after taking a ride in limousine gifted to him by Putin

A leather-clad Kim Jong Un was seen pumping his fist in the air as he oversaw a live-fire drill of a series of 'newly-equipped super-large' rocket launcher, after he was seen cruising in a limousine Vladimir Putin gifted him. 

It came after North Korea fires several ballistic missiles as the US secretary of state Antony Blinken was visiting Seoul, which itself was the first time in two months that the dictator launched weapons of that type. 

State-run new agency Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said the rocket launcher drills, run by North Korea's Western Region Artillery Unit, tested the 'real war capabilities' of the massive 23-inch multiple rocket launchers.

'They fully demonstrated their excellent crack-shot artillery marksmanship and prompt and thorough combat readiness,' KCNA said. 

The dictator told troops present at the launch that the new missiles would be a 'core central striking means' in a war. 

'The destructive offensive means possessed by our army should more thoroughly fulfil their missions to block and suppress the possibility of war with the constant perfect preparedness to collapse the capital of the enemy and the structure of its military forces,' he said. 

A leather-clad Kim Jong Un (pictured, left) was seen pumping his fist in the air as he oversaw a live-fire drill of a series of 'newly-equipped super-large' rocket launcher

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un gestures as he guides a training of the fire division, in North Korea

The dictator told troops present at the launch that the new missiles would be a 'core central striking means' in a war

Kim was seen wearing a leather jacket as he watched the military drill 

Late last week, he was seen riding in a luxury limousine that was gifted to him by felloe dictator Vladimir Putin

Late last week, he was seen riding in a luxury limousine that was gifted to him by fellow dictator Vladimir Putin. 

He was sent the Aurus Senat limousine in February after being shown it during a visit to Russia in September. 

Kim's sister and senior official Kim Yo Jong said: 'The special function of the private car is perfect and can be thoroughly trusted.

'Kim Jong Un's using of the private car sent by the president of the Russian Federation as a gift is a clear proof of (North Korea)-Russia friendship, which is developing in a comprehensive way on a new high stage.'

South Korea accused Kim Jong Un on Monday of directly helping Russia's invasion efforts against Ukraine by supplying around 7,000 containers filled with military aid and munitions since last year.

Fuel shortages likely forced North Korea to scale back winter training activities for its soldiers in recent years

South Korea accused Kim Jong Un on Monday of directly helping Russia's invasion efforts against Ukraine

In exchange for sending possibly several million artillery shells and other supplies, North Korea has received more than 9,000 Russian containers likely filled with aid

North Korea's Western Region Artillery Unit's ultra-large rocket salvo firing drill, at an unconfirmed location in North Korea

North Korea in exchange possibly received badly needed food and economic aid and military assistance aimed at upgrading Kim’s forces, according to South Korean officials and private experts. Both Moscow and Pyongyang have denied the existence of an arms deal between the countries. 

During a news conference in Seoul, South Korean defence minister Shin Won-sik said the military believes the North, after initially relying on ships, has been increasingly using its rail networks to send arms supplies to Russia through their land border.

In exchange for sending possibly several million artillery shells and other supplies, North Korea has received more than 9,000 Russian containers likely filled with aid, Shin said. 

He raised suspicions that Russia could be providing North Korea with fuel, possibly in defiance of UN Security Council sanctions that tightly cap the country’s imports of oil and petroleum products.

While fuel shortages likely forced North Korea to scale back winter training activities for its soldiers in recent years, South Korea’s military assesses that the North expanded such drills this January and February, Shin said.