North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has made a public appearance for the first time in 22 days, inspecting a construction site for high-end apartments in Pyongyang.

The ruling Workers Party's newspaper Rodong Sinmun said Saturday that Kim provided onsite guidance at a housing construction site near the Pothong River and expressed satisfaction over the progress.

But the paper did not say when he made the visit.

This is the third time Kim has inspected this same riverside site where terraced apartments will go up, following visits in March and April. 

The area used to house a special residence for late North Korean founder Kim Il-sung up until the 1970s, before he moved to the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun.

It's known to be prime real estate in the heart of the capital city.

Meanwhile, Kim Jong-un's public appearance draws attention as it comes as the South Korea-U.S. military exercise is ongoing. North Korea is also known to be conducting a low-key summertime drill in front line areas.

South Korea is closely monitoring a possible provocation by the North in protest to the combined exercise.

[Photo : KBS News]