Watch: Kim Jong Un’s softer side on display as he tours hot springs and luxury resorts |

In a surprising turn, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un embraced a lighter moment during a visit to a newly refurbished hot springs resort alongside his daughter. The lavish mountain complex, boasting state-of-the-art facilities, is touted as a symbol of the country’s advancement.

Kim Jong Un appeared relaxed as he toured a newly renovated hot springs resort in northern North Korea as the dictator, like Supreme Leader, offered a rare glimpse of a leisurely side of the military strong country.State media footage and promotional video showed Kim smiling as he visited the Onpo Workers’ Recreation Centre, now North Korea’s largest hot springs resort and recently designated a natural monument. Wrapped in a heavy coat, Kim walked through spa facilities, stopping to greet bathers enjoying the pools in their swimsuits. At one point, he sat on the edge of a hot tub and dipped his hand into the water, though he did not join the bath himself.The visit marked a turnaround from Kim’s previous inspection of the site in 2018, when he criticised the centre as “uncultured and unsanitary”. He ordered a full renovation at the time, a project that took several years to complete. The updated complex now features multiple spa rooms, upgraded facilities and polished interiors aimed at showcasing modern leisure standards.