- Images released by North Korean state media show the country's leader, Kim Jong Un, at his first public appearance after weeks of widespread speculation about his health.
- Kim attended the completion ceremony of a fertilizer plant north of the capital, Pyongyang on Saturday, according to North Korean state news agency KCNA.
- Business Insider could not verify the authenticity of the pictures.
- The pictures show Kim touring the plant and talking to aides, one of which was his sister, Kim Yo Jong.
- It is the leader's first public appearance since April 11.
- Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.
North Korean state media released images of the country's leader, Kim Jong Un, making his first public appearance after weeks of speculation about his health and whereabouts.
Business Insider could not verify the authenticity of the photos.
Kim attended the completion ceremony of a fertilizer plant north of the capital, Pyongyang on Saturday, marking his first public appearance since April 11.
Rumors had circulated that Kim might be dead, but US and South Korean intelligence services expressed skepticism over such reports, the Washington Post reported in late April.
The North Korean leader's younger sister Kim Yo Jong joined her brother on the visit to the fertilizer plant, according to KCNA. She's the most powerful woman in North Korea, and it's speculated she would take over as the leader of the rogue state in the event of her brother's death.
South Korean Unification Minister Kim Yeon-chul recently suggested that concern over the coronavirus pandemic was likely to blame for Kim's lack of public appearances.
"He had never missed the anniversary for Kim Il Sung's birthday since he took power, but many anniversary events including celebrations and a banquet had been cancelled because of coronavirus concerns," the minister told a parliamentary hearing, per a Reuters report from Tuesday.
Scroll down to see photos of the North Korean leader touring the plant, speaking with aides, and smiling at a crowd of attendees.
SEE ALSO: 31 photos of North Korea that Kim Jong Un wouldn't want you to see
After weeks of intense speculation about his health, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un made his first public appearance on Saturday, according to official news agency KCNA.
Kim attended the completion ceremony of a fertilizer plant north of the capital, Pyongyang and was accompanied by senior aides, including his younger sister, Kim Yo Jong.
Source: Reuters
In the pictures, which could not be verified by Business Insider, the leader is seen smiling and waving on a podium in front of a crowd of people.
NK News also published a video of the leader touring the plant with his aides.
//twitter.com/mims/statuses/1256477333407428613?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Kim Jong Un smoking and walking around the factory.
More details of the visit here: Kim's first public appearance in state media in 21 days https://t.co/JTL310MzLTpic.twitter.com/El8p5CB5di
KCNA also reported that the people attending the event "burst into thunderous cheers of 'hurrah!' for the Supreme Leader..." In the footage, almost all attendants are seen wearing face masks.
Source: Reuters
This is the first report of Kim's whereabouts since April 11.
The rumors of his health started when Kim missed the annual birth-anniversary celebrations of his grandfather, state founder Kim Il Sung, on April 15. It is the country's most important holiday.
Source: Business Insider
Adding to the speculation, a South Korean news outlet that specializes in reporting the secretive state said that Kim had undergone a cardiovascular procedure and was recovering, although this report was unconfirmed.
Source: Reuters
Satellite images released on April 29 showed a train usually used by the leader near a resort town, with people suggesting he may be staying there.
Source: Reuters
Kim's absence also prompted the suggestion that the leader may have been taking precautions against the coronavirus.
North Korea has implemented some measures to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, but claims that its has no confirmed cases as well as fatalities.