North Korea’s Kim Jong-un makes first public appearance in weeks, state media reports
- The crowd ‘cheered’ as the North Korean leader cut a ribbon at fertiliser factory opening
- Kim has not made a public appearance since presiding over a meeting in April, prompting rumours about his disappearance
KCNA said Kim cut a ribbon at the ceremony on Friday and those attending the event “burst into thunderous cheers of ‘hurrah!’ for the Supreme Leader …”
Kim was seen in photographs smiling and talking to aides at the ribbon-cutting ceremony and also touring the plant. The authenticity of the photos, published on the website of the official Rodong Sinmun newspaper, could not be verified.
Many in the large crowd of people, described as officials of the army, the ruling party and the community who worked on the project, were wearing face masks and standing some distance from the podium where Kim and his aides took part in the ceremony.
Kim was accompanied by senior North Korean officials, including his younger sister Kim Yo-jong and top aides vice-chairman Pak Pong-ju of the State Affairs Commission and cabinet premier Kim Jae-ryong, KCNA said.