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Kim Jong-un has ended speculation about his grip on power in North Korea with his first public appearance in more than five weeks, albeit aided by a walking stick.
The 31-year-old visited a housing development and energy research institute in the capital, Pyongyang, according to the official KCNA news agency. His party’s official newspaper, the Rodong Sinmun, ran several photographs showing a smiling, gesticulating Kim, accompanied by Hwang Pyong-so, the army’s chief political officer and Kim’s second-in-command, as well as other senior officials.
His first public appearance since 3 September, when he attended a concert in Pyongyang with his wife, appeared to confirm claims that Kim has been unwell.
Dressed in his trademark dark suit, he was pictured walking with the aid of a black cane – lending weight to the theory that he has been receiving treatment for a leg injury or illness that has affected his ability to walk unaided.
The international rumour mill ratcheted up several notches last week when Kim, who inherited the North Korean leadership after the death of his father, Kim Jong-il, in December 2011, failed to attend an event to mark the 69th anniversary of the ruling Korean Workers’ party. Earlier he had missed an important meeting of the country’s parliament.
The theories, often given without a modicum of evidence, ranged from diabetes to a brain haemorrhage or heart condition. While most experts concluded he was incapacitated by a medical condition, others speculated he had been overthrown by rival power brokers.
The official KCNA news agency said Kim had recently made two public appearances but did not provide dates or an explanation for his lengthy absence.
KCNA said Kim had offered “field guidance” to officials at the new Wisong Scientists Residential District and visited the newly built Natural Energy Institute of the State Academy of Sciences.
