North Korea's Kim Jong Un poses in military uniform with gun in new portrait

The huge portrait shows Kim in a gleaming white uniform with a marshal's star hanging around his neck and on his epaulettes. Photo: KCTV

North Korean state media have displayed an unprecedented portrait of leader Kim Jong Un in military uniform - and an assault rifle on his desk - as the nuclear-armed nation holds a key meeting of its ruling party.

Kim always dons civilian dress for public appearances and it is the first time he has been shown in uniform since he inherited power following his father's death in December 2011.