North Korean leader Kim Jong-un appears to have undergone a minor media makeover as he prepares for a series of meetings with former sworn enemies.

He's due to meet South Korean counterpart Moon Jae-in next week for the first inter-Korean summit in over a decade, and US President Donald Trump within the next couple of months.

North Korean state media are toning down their traditionally hostile rhetoric, and presenting the North Korean leader as a warmer man, with a cleaner image.

The once ever-present cigarette between Mr Kim's fingers is now conspicuous by its absence, and his wife, Ri Sol-ju, may be set to play a more active role in the traditionally male-dominated regime, now being referred to as the "First Lady".

Perhaps in attempt to show the North's sincerity ahead of next week's peace talks, nuclear missiles have also virtually disappeared from the country's TV screens.

South Korean newspaper Dong-A Ilbo noticed this week that Mr Kim hasn't been seen in public with a cigarette for some time, speculating that this is part of a softening of his image.

Known to be a heavy smoker, Mr Kim was last photographed smoking in early February while taking a midnight bus ride around Pyongyang.

Recent newspaper photos show him without a cigarette, and ashtrays are no longer provided for him at official functions.

There have been subtle changes in the way he's portrayed on TV, too.

Archive footage of the North Korean leader attending military or agriculture events is normally a firm fixture on North Korean television. However, there's been an increase in footage of him visiting children, a tried-and-tested method of projecting the leader as a father of a nation.

Also coming to the fore is Mr Kim's wife, Ri Sol-ju.

Her first solo state engagement this week, accompanying a visiting Chinese envoy to the ballet, afforded her the titles "First lady of the DPRK" and "Respected Madame Ri Sol-ju" for the first time on television and in print media.

In previous appearances, Ms Ri has been relegated to the background and simply referred to as "his wife".

But Central TV this week has placed Ms Ri centre stage, and dressed in pink, while watching a ballet performance of Giselle by visiting Chinese dancers.

This marked the first time in 45 years that any North Korean first lady has taken the limelight in such a way.

It comes in the wake of Mr Kim's increasingly powerful younger sister Yo-jong stealing the show at the March Winter Olympics opening ceremony in South Korea's Pyeongchang.

Read more on bbc.com.