North Korea releases bizarre photos of Kim Jong-un riding a horse

Social media is in a frenzy over photos of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un riding a white horse through a snowy mountain.

The undated photos, which were released by Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), captured Mr Kim riding a horse on Mount Paektu through what the agency claimed was the first snowfall of the year.

In one photo, the North Korean leader smiles as he poses on top of the horse, but in another he appears to be concerned as the animal gallops through the snow, news.com.au reported.

The pictures quickly circulated around social media after being released, with users unsure of what to make of them.

"Well these pics of Kim Jong-un scaling Paektu on a white horse are … quite something," managing editor at NK News, Oliver Hotham, tweeted.

"It will be interesting to see which one he selects for his official Christmas card," another Twitter user said.

Another user noted that Mr Kim looked "terrified" in most of the snaps.

One added: "Well we know who is getting some new posters for their bedroom walls at the White House!"

Other people pointed out similarities between Mr Kim's pictures and those taken of Russian President Vladimir Putin in 2009.

The photos show a shirtless Mr Putin rising a horse during his vacation outside the town of Kyzyl in Southern Siberia.

Mr Kim was accompanied by senior officials of the Workers' Party of Korea Central Committee.

Mount Paektu is the highest peak on the Korean Peninsula and is described as having a "weighty importance" in North Korea's history.

The country has long claimed it was the birthplace of Mr Kim's father and former leader, Kim Jong-il.

"Sitting on the horseback atop Mt Paektu, (he) recollected with deep emotion the road of arduous struggle he covered for the great cause of building the most powerful country with faith and will as firm as Mt Paektu," the report released by KCNA read.

The report described the leader's eyes as being "full of noble glitters" as he looked around on top of the mountain.

Mr Kim often visits the mountain before making major decisions, such as the 2013 execution of his powerful uncle and his 2018 entrance into diplomacy with Seoul and Washington.

As a result, many have speculated that he may be gearing up to make a big move, possibly revolving around his negotiations with the US.

According to the report, all the officials accompanying him were "convinced with overflowing emotion and joy that there will be a great operation to strike the world with wonder again and make a step forward in the Korean revolution".