North Korea’s Korean Central Television says that North Korean leader Kim Jong-il attended a party to mark his 69th birthday on Wednesday.

The party was hosted by the National Defense Commission as well as the Central Military Commission and Central Committee of the Workers’ Party.

It marked the first time for the North Korean leader to attend an official birthday party.

Kim’s appearance is interpreted as a move to display his place as the leader of the communist country amid a rumor about his declining health and a third-generation father-to-son power succession.

The party was also attended by leading military, party and cabinet officials such as the North Korean People's Army chief of the general staff Ri Yong-ho, the North Korean leader’s younger sister Kim Kyung-hee, his brother-in-law Jang Song-thaek, and Vice Premier Kang Sok-ju.