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PYONGYANG – Top leader of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) Kim Jong Un has given field guidance to a newly built residential district, the official KCNA news agency reported yesterday, his first public appearance in about 40 days. Kim has not been seen in public since he watched the performance of the Moranbong Band with his wife Ri Sol Ju here at the Mansudae Art Theatre on September 3. His longest absence from public events since he took power has drawn the world’s attention and fueled speculations about his health.

The KCNA reported in the report dated yesterday that Kim expressed satisfaction after he learned in detail about the construction of the newly built Wisong Scientists Residential District. “Watching the exterior of the apartment houses and public buildings nicely decorated with diverse colour tiles, he was very pleased to see them. He said they looked very attractive, presenting fantastic scenery,” the report said.

Kim also visited the newly built Natural Energy Institute of the State Academy of Sciences on the same day, the state media said, without giving the exact date he made the visits.

On September 25, Kim did not show up at the second session of the Supreme People’s Assembly, the DPRK’s top legislative body. The next day, a short video clip broadcast on the Korean Central Television said Kim was still busy leading the DPRK people with enormous enthusiasm despite his recent ill-health.

However, on October 5, South Korean Unification Minister Ryoo Kihl- Jae said Kim Yang Gon, a senior leader from the DPRK, told him privately that there was no problem with Kim’s health during the visit of three senior DPRK officials to South Korea for the closing ceremony of the 17th Asian Games.

On October 10, Kim did not visit the Palace of the Sun at Kumsusan, which was a commemorative ceremony marking the 69th anniversary of the founding the ruling Workers’ Party of Korea (WPK). Each year as a ritual, he would pay tribute to the deceased leaders of the DPRK, Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il, at the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun since he assumed power in late 2011.

Kim was a no-show at a national meeting on October 7 to mark the 17th anniversary of former top leader Kim Jong Il’s election as general secretary of the WPK. – Xinhua