Kim Jong-un has elevated himself to parity with North Korea’s previous dictators with the unveiling in Pyongyang of the first larger-than-life portrait of the “Young General” beaming at his subjects. 

The seven-foot-tall portrait was on display at Pyongyang International Airport on Sunday, when Mr Kim welcomed Miguel Diaz-Canel, the president of Cuba, for a state visit, pictures from state-run media showed. 

The portrait depicts Mr Kim in a formal suit and tie, in contrast to his father, Kim Jong-il, who favoured Mao-style tunics, with analysts suggesting the young leader is attempting to shore up a cult of personality that may be waning as he has failed to deliver on promises made to the North…