North Korea's official news agency, KCNA, announced on Saturday May 2, photos in support, that the country's leader, Kim Jong-un, had attended the inauguration of a fertilizer plant in Sunchon, near Pyongyang, with dignitaries and his sister and councilor Kim Yo-jong. This is his first official appearance since April 11.

"Supreme leader Kim Jong-un cuts the ribbon for the inauguration of the Sunchon phosphate fertilizer plant," said a KCNA report. He "attended the ceremony," and "all the participants threw 'hurray!'" When he appeared, she added. Kim Jong-un also visited the factory, and was "briefed on the production process," KCNA said.

The health of the North Korean leader was the subject of multiple speculations since his absence on April 15 at ceremonies commemorating the birth of his grandfather, Kim Il-sung, founder of the North Korean regime.

Minimizing the rumors, South Korea's special adviser to national security Moon Jae-in said on April 26 that Kim Jong-un was "alive and well".

With AFP and Reuters

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