North Korea’s state media has posted proof of life photos of Kim Jong Un after rumours that he was in a coma.

Social media was running wild that the Hermit Kingdom’s leader had suffered a brain haemorrhage and was being secretly treated in a Chinese hospital.

The speculation reportedly stemmed from US-based Chinese dissident Wanjun Xie, chairman of the China Democracy Party, who went so far as to claim Kim had died.

“It is rumored that recently,Kim Jong-un, General Secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea and Supreme Leader of North Korea, suffered a severe cerebral haemorrhage and fell into a coma,” he posted to X.

“Although a team of medical experts from Peking Union Medical College Hospital was dispatched to North Korea to assist in his treatment, the poor medical conditions in North Korea forced Kim Jong-un to be transferred to Peking Union Medical College Hospital for emergency treatment.

“However, due to the severity of his condition and the fact that the optimal window for treatment had passed, Kim Jong-un succumbed to his injuries and died.

“His body has been secretly transported back to North Korea, and the news of his death is being kept under wraps.”

North Korea’s state news agency published photos on Monday (local time) in an apparent proof of life.

The new pictures, that have not been independently verified, showed 42-year-old Kim at a clothing and footwear exhibition.

Flanked by officials, he was seen looking intently at a pair of pink sneakers being presented by a woman, and inspecting a brown ladies coat displayed on a mannequin.

Korean Central News Agency said he toured the exhibition on Monday (local time).

Last week, US President Donald Trump said he might meet Kim during a planned trip to Asia. 

Trump is expected to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation summit in China in mid-November.

North Korea has been testing a run of ​weapons launches amid heightened tensions on the Korean Peninsula.

Just days ago North Korea test-fired a new torpedo equipped with artificial intelligence, state media reported, describing the test as a significant step ‌in the country’s naval development.

It ​came after North ‌Korea said it had tested two types of submarine-launched strategic cruise ​missiles last week to verify its navy’s mission capabilities and the reliability of its war deterrent.

Pyongyang has been seeking to develop modern ​missile submarines ​alongside ballistic and cruise ​missiles, test-launching them from various platforms, including an ‌ageing submarine.

Last week, Kim ‌Jong-un reportedly visited a defence industry museum displaying an intercontinental ballistic missile capable of reaching the United States.

-with AAP