Kim Jong Un Looks Straight From Old Spice Ad, Straddles White Horse Up Mount Paektu

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is in the limelight again. Not for his rocket launches though, but for his white horse rides to the sacred mountain Mount Paektu.

His horse ride has evinced interest for two reasons -- one is the symbolism of “man on the horse”, as in the Old Spice commercials flaunting masculinity, freedom, and style.

Second, given the fact that the North Korean leader visits the mountain before taking major decisions, there is anxiety about what major decision is on the anvil. Both Mount Paektu and white horses are considered power symbols of the Kim family.

Proclamation of manliness

The North Korean leader’s horse ride naturally triggers comparisons with the famous commercials of Old Spice that promote the brand’s Body Wash and other products in macho style by a man on top of a white horse.

In the commercial, actor Isaiah Mustafa engages viewers in rapid-fire monologues and says “anything is possible" if a man uses Old Spice.

But the final statement is the key asserting “I'm on a horse” with the camera zooming to reveal the Old Spice man was sitting on a horse.

The horse in the ad is optimized as a signifier of masculinity, heroism, and confidence. So, there is little surprise if viewers drew a similar inference seeing the white horse ride of Kim as the ruler’s assertion of confidence and heroism.

The latest news says Kim made a second symbolic visit to the mountain this week, in less than two months. On Wednesday, the state media department released photos of Kim riding a horse to snow-clad Mount Paektu.

Pictures of Kim Jong Un riding a white horse through a winter landscape have fuelled speculation that the young leader may be set for a major policy announcement KCNA VIA KNS / STR

The photos showed Kim had the company of his wife and close associates, all on white horses. The North Korean leader last ascended the mountain on a horseback in October, per NBC News.

In the latest message after riding to the mountain, Kim reportedly emphasized the offensive spirit of the mountain. The North Korean leader counseled the countrymen: “We should always live and work in the offensive spirit of Paektu.”

Mt Paektu has great symbolic significance in the North as both the spiritual birthplace of the Korean nation and, according to Pyongyang's orthodoxy, the birthplace of Kim's father Kim Jong Il KCNA VIA KNS / STR

Trump criticized for veiled threat

Meanwhile, North Korea has threatened President Donald Trump saying the military option is open against the North.

Pak Jong Chon, chief of the General Staff of the North Korean People's Army, said in a statement, use of military force against North Korea would invite a “horrible” consequence for the Americans.

In London, while attending a NATO summit, Trump said his relationship with Kim was “really good” but he must act on the commitment to denuclearize.

Trump also added the U.S has the most powerful military in the world and “hopefully we don't have to use it. But if we do, we will use it.”

Earlier, North Korea warned that it would send a “Christmas gift” to the United States and the content will depend on the outcome of talks between Washington and Pyongyang, a top official warned.