North Korea’s fourth weapons test in just under two weeks has not killed off the chance to reignite talks with the US over Pyongyang’s nuclear and missiles programme but it does signal that the end of the diplomatic path is drawing closer.

The rush of tests – including new short-range ballistic missiles – and the unveiling of a submarine that could potentially launch nuclear weapons have occurred despite a historic gesture by Donald Trump in late June to become the first sitting US president in history to step into the hermit kingdom.

It reveals that despite being partial himself to grand displays of showmanship, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un will not be placated by theatrics with little substance.

While President Trump is keen to secure a major foreign policy win in the run-up to the 2020 presidential election, Kim also faces domestic pressure from sceptics doubting his decision last year to pursue nuclear diplomacy.

After an embarrassing end to February’s Hanoi summit, when Kim left empty-handed after failing to secure any concessions at all on punishing economic sanctions, the young despot cannot afford to lose any more face in front of his generals.

Pyongyang’s rhetoric accompanying its missiles tests makes clear that Kim wants not only to nail down meaningful security guarantees against invasion, but to be treated as an equal among leaders.