Could N.Korea unveil faster rockets and more warheads?

North Korea's Kim Jong Un has been spotted riding his white horse into the mountains once again.

Similar trips have preceded major policy decisions, and experts think 2020 could herald a return to long-range missile launches or other weapons tests.

Kim says North Korea has a "new strategic weapon", and insists there is no longer reason for Pyongyang to be bound by a self-imposed suspension on nuclear and intercontinental ballistic missile tests - the strongest indication yet that the North could resume the major testing it suspended over two years ago in the run-up to diplomacy talks with the U.S.

President Donald Trump said on Wednesday (January 1) he felt assured that Kim would stay true to his promises to denuclearize.

U.S. military officials say they see a long-range missile launch as one of the most likely options.

Others suggest the North could launch a satellite, deploy the new ballistic missile submarine it claims to be developing, or field new domestically produced "transporter erector launcher" - basically vehicles for its largest missiles.

Its plans could also involve mass-producing more weapons.

Essentially, all of this means North Korea could be producing faster rockets - and more warheads.

In December, it said it had carried out two important nuclear tests for a weapon that could counter nuclear threats from the U.S.

Analysts in Washington and Seoul said it seemed likely the North had tested rocket engines, but a final card North Korea could play would be an atmospheric test of a nuclear warhead.

Experts say the latter is unlikely, as it could anger Pyongyang's backers in Beijing and Moscow.