North Korean state media released images of the country's leader, Kim Jong Un, making his first public appearance after weeks of speculation about his health and whereabouts.
Business Insider could not verify the authenticity of the photos.
Kim attended the completion ceremony of a fertilizer plant north of the capital, Pyongyang on Saturday, marking his first public appearance since April 11.
Rumors had circulated that Kim might be dead, but US and South Korean intelligence services expressed skepticism over such reports, the Washington Post reported in late April.
The North Korean leader's younger sister Kim Yo Jong joined her brother on the visit to the fertilizer plant, according to KCNA. She's the most powerful woman in North Korea, and it's speculated she would take over as the leader of the rogue state in the event of her brother's death.
South Korean Unification Minister Kim Yeon-chul recently suggested that concern over the coronavirus pandemic was likely to blame for Kim's lack of public appearances.
"He had never missed the anniversary for Kim Il Sung's birthday since he took power, but many anniversary events including celebrations and a banquet had been cancelled because of coronavirus concerns," the minister told a parliamentary hearing, per a Reuters report from Tuesday.
Scroll down to see photos of the North Korean leader touring the plant, speaking with aides, and smiling at a crowd of attendees.
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