North Korean leader Kim Jong-un appeared in public for the first time since Sept.3, according to The Wall Street Journal and the BBC. Undated photos of the smiling dictator with a walking stick splashed the front page of North Korea's main newspaper, Rodong Sinmun.
The Korean Central News Agency said Kim "gave field guidance" at a new residential district for scientists. "It may or may not be significant that the visit was to a residential complex for satellite scientists - the kind of people who work on missile technology," wrote the BBC.
Kim reportedly called the buildings "very attractive."
"Looking over the exterior of the apartment houses and public buildings, decorated with diverse coloured tiles, (Kim) expressed great satisfaction, saying they looked very beautiful," KCNA stated.
Kim also visited the Natural Energy Institute of the State Academy of Sciences, per reports.
The publication of these photos is supposed to show that Kim has not been overthrown as dictator. The marshal is still in control and in good health, as North Korea's ambassador to London told the press on Sunday.
According to the BBC, official North Korean media blamed Kim's hiatus from public view on "unspecified personal 'discomfort.'" Kim was photographed using a cane, which suggests that reports of ankle surgery, gout or other ambulatory issues may have been correct. The BBC pointed out that the images of Kim are still photos, so how well he is walking is unknown. Kim, in his usual black garb, has not appeared to have lost weight.
The photos were released on Tuesday, but the news statement did not say when Kim visited these areas. It is not uncommon for North Korea media photos to be undated.
