Kim Jong-un visits cosmetics firm with wife

Pyongyang Oct 30 (IANS) North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has taken time away from the confrontation with the US and allies to visit a cosmetics factory in Pyongyang.

He went to the newly renovated factory with senior party members and his rarely seen wife Ri Sol-ju BBC reported on Sunday.

The site was visited by his father and predecessor Kim Jong-il 14 years ago.

The visit was broadcast on state media one day after US Defence Secretary Jim Mattis said his country would "never accept" a nuclear-armed North Korea.

Mattis said any use of such weapons would be met with a "massive military response" while visiting Seoul on Saturday.

Tension has risen on the peninsula over a series of North Korean missile and nuclear tests and escalating rhetoric between Kim Jong-un and US President Donald Trump.

The visit made a stark difference from the leader s usual photo opportunities with missiles and weapons as he instead posed with soap and beauty products.

He praised the company and called on it to produce world-class cosmetics.

--IANS
pgh/