Anchor: Following his 40 days of absence from public view, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has made an appearance. Amid growing rumors over his health, North Korean media has revealed photos of Kim making on-site inspections with a walking stick.
Our Bae Joo-yon has more on the reclusive leader’s public outing.
 
Report: North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has appeared in North Korean media after 40 days of absence from the public eye.
 
Making the front page of North Korea’s Rodong Sinmun on Tuesday, Kim appeared in ten pictures that showed him inspecting a newly-constructed residential district for scientists in Pyongyang.
 
The photos showed Kim holding a walking stick in his left hand, suggesting that his left leg is still in the process of healing as he is said to be recovering from an ankle surgery.
 
The daily and other North Korean media said Kim expressed great satisfaction as he toured around various locations in the district.
 
The reports also said he was accompanied by senior party and military officials, including Hwang Pyong-so, director of the North Korean People's Army General Political Bureau, and Choe Ryong-hae, a secretary of the North's ruling Workers' Party.

Considering the North Korean media's practice of reporting a day after Kim’s activities, the latest appearance is believed to have come 40 days after the reclusive leader attended a recital of the Pyongyang Moranbong Art Troupe on September 3.
 
With Kim not appearing in the public eye for an extended period of time, various media outlets had issued speculations over his health conditions and the political situation in North Korea. The South Korean government, on its part, had said earlier that no problems had been detected in Kim’s rule of the communist state.
 
Observers say the North Korean leader is likely to have made the latest appearance to silence rumors about his absence and to address any agitation among his people. 
Bae Joo-yon, KBS World Radio News.