Kim Jong-un is expected to use his New Year speech to shed light on the “new path” he promised if the US does not relax its stance towards the country’s nuclear capabilities.

The North Korean leader has vowed to change course if Donald Trump does not ease the sanctions pushing for denuclearisation by Mr Kim’s deadline of 31 December.

He is likely to outline this “new path” and a possible change in diplomacy towards the US in his closely-watched New Year address.

The US has now ignored the year-end deadline to show more flexibility in order to reopen the talks aimed at dismantling North Korea‘s nuclear and missile programmes.

Mr Kim’s speech is expected to touch upon a wide range of issues from foreign affairs and military development to the economy and education.

Kim Jong-un: Power in pictures Show all 20 1 /20 Kim Jong-un: Power in pictures Kim Jong-un: Power in pictures Kim Jong-un rides a horse during snowfall in Mount Paektu in this image released by North Korea's Korean Central News Agency on 16 October 2019 Reuters Kim Jong-un: Power in pictures Kim Jong-un visits the newly built Pyongyang Orphans' Primary School on 2 February 2017 AFP/Getty Kim Jong-un: Power in pictures Kim Jong-un inspects a women's company under Unit 5492 of the Korean People's Army in November 2019 AFP/Getty Kim Jong-un: Power in pictures Kim Jong-un inspects the test-fire of intercontinental ballistic missile Hwasong-14 at an undisclosed location in July 2017 AFP/Getty Kim Jong-un: Power in pictures Kim Jong-un celebrates the successful test-fire of the intercontinental ballistic missile Hwasong-14 at an undisclosed location in July 2017 AFP/Getty Kim Jong-un: Power in pictures Kim Jong-un inspects a potato at the Samjiyon Potato Factory in North Korea in October 2018 AFP/Getty Kim Jong-un: Power in pictures Kim Jong-un rides a horse through a forest in this image released by North Korea's Korean Central News Agency on 16 October 2019 EPA Kim Jong-un: Power in pictures Kim Jong-un inspects a block of frozen fish at a processing facility in North Korea in November 2018 Reuters Kim Jong-un: Power in pictures Kim Jong-un celebrates the succeful launch of a strategic submarine-launched ballistic missile in August 2016 AFP/Getty Kim Jong-un: Power in pictures Kim Jong-un shakes hands with Donald Trump as they meet for the first time at the Capella Hotel on Sentosa island in Singapore in June 2018 Reuters Kim Jong-un: Power in pictures Kim Jong-un and Donald Trump share a glance as they meet in the Demilitarised Zone in Panmunjon, Korea in June 2019 AFP/Getty Kim Jong-un: Power in pictures Kim Jong-un inspects mushrooms at Pyongyang Mushroom Farm AFP/Getty Kim Jong-un: Power in pictures Kim Jong-un inspects a super-large multiple rocket launcher ahead of a test in September 2019 Reuters Kim Jong-un: Power in pictures Kim Jong-un inspects an apple farm in South Hwanghae Province in September 2017 AFP/Getty Kim Jong-un: Power in pictures Kim Jong-un inspects an apple farm in South Hwanghae Province in September 2017 AFP/Getty Kim Jong-un: Power in pictures Kim Jong-un inspects dental wares at a newly built factory in June 2017 AFP/Getty Kim Jong-un: Power in pictures Kim Jong-un visits Farm No 1116 in September 2017 AFP/Getty Kim Jong-un: Power in pictures Kim Jong-un visits a motor factory in November 2017 AFP/Getty Kim Jong-un: Power in pictures Kim Jong-un rides a horse during snowfall in Mount Paektu in this image released by North Korea's Korean Central News Agency on 16 October 2019 AFP/Getty Kim Jong-un: Power in pictures Kim Jong-un inspects the Command of the Strategic Force of the Korean People's Army at an undisclosed location in August 2017 AFP/Getty

US military commanders have speculated North Korea’s next move could include the testing of an intercontinental ballistic missile capable to transporting a nuclear warhead.

Robert O’Brien, US national security adviser, warned Washington would be “extraordinarily disappointed” if North Korea tests a long-range or nuclear missile.

A nuclear summit between the leaders broke down in February with “no agreement reached”.

The US president claimed his North Korean counterpart had wanted the US to lift all their sanctions, which he refused to do.

Talks on denuclearisation between the two countries have been at a stalemate ever since.

The North Korean leader had said his “Christmas gift” to this US this year would depend whether Washington reduced its pressure campaign on his country.

Despite pressure from Mr Kim, US negotiators have dismissed their end of 2019 deadline as arbitrary and artificial.