North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has made his first
public appearance since 3 September, the country's official news agency says.
The KCNA agency said on Tuesday that Mr Kim "gave field
guidance" at a newly built scientists' residential district.
Rodong Sinmun daily newspaper carried several photographs of Mr Kim
using a walking stick as he inspected the site.
The absence of the 32-year-old leader had prompted a flurry of
speculation about his health.
North Korean newspaper Rodong Sinmun carried several images said to be of Kim Jong-un's visit
Mr Kim was pictured using a walking stick in several of the images while inspecting the residential site
Some observers said Mr Kim could be suffering from gout or problems in
his hip joint. Others even questioned if he remained in control of the state.
Analysis:
Stephen Evans, BBC News, Seoul
The photographs are still pictures so it's impossible to
know how easily Kim Jong-un is walking - did he walk for long, was he standing
simply for the photographer?
It's also impossible to tell if the stick in the pictures is
an aid because of an untreated continuation of the previous ailment, or to help
him after surgery.
What the pictures clearly show, though, is that he is at the
centre of power.
One of the acolytes apparently hanging on his every word is
Hwang Pyong-so, the general who led a delegation to South Korea 10 days ago. At
the time, some of the more feverish speculation had it that this might signify
that the military leader was actually in control.
The newly-released pictures indicate that Kim Jong-un
remains the top man. 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.
Official media have cited unspecified personal
"discomfort" as grounds for Mr Kim's absence from public view.
On Sunday, North Korea's ambassador to London told the BBC
that Mr Kim was in good health.
KCNA said that Mr Kim was briefed on the Wisong Scientists
Residential District "before a map showing its bird's-eye view" and
that he then "overlooked it".
"Looking over the exterior of the apartment houses and
public buildings, decorated with diverse coloured tiles, (Mr Kim) expressed
great satisfaction, saying they looked very beautiful," the agency said.
It also said that Mr Kim visited the newly-built Natural
Energy Institute of the State Academy of Sciences.
Although the news release was dated Tuesday, it did not
specify on which day he made the visits.
Uncle
purged
During his absence, Mr Kim missed two high-profile public
events - the 10 October anniversary of the establishment of the Korean Worker's
Party and the 9 September Foundation Day of the North Korean State.
Analysts said they were two days in the political calendar
when the leader would be expected to make an appearance.
Kim Jong-un took office on the death of his father, Kim
Jong-il, in December 2011 and was quickly named head of the party, state and
army.
In 2012 he was appointed marshal - the highest military rank
- following a high-level military reshuffle.
Then, in December 2013, Mr Kim purged and executed his
uncle, Chang Song-thaek, who state media said had been plotting a coup.
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