Speculation on Kim Jong Un's Health Ends As Photos Show Leader With Walking Stick
Kim Jong Un has ended speculation of his health after appearing publically for the first time in over a month.
Photos recently published by KCNA and the Rodong Sinmun newspaper show the North Korean leader visiting a housing development in Pyongyang. Kim Jong Un can be seen in the photos smiling and waving with the camera, and he is apparently walking with the aid of a walking stick.
Kim Jong Un was missing from the public eye for over a month, and even the KCNA media outlet, which usually reports on Kim Jong Un's activities in detail, was silent about the leader's whereabouts. Some media outlets suggested Kim Jong Un had been thrown from power, while others argued he was suffering from gout.
The most cited media report suggested Kim Jong Un had injured his ankles while participating in a military exercise and had to have surgery on them. This report may explain the reason the leader was photographed with a cane this week.
After Kim Jong Un visited the Wisong Scientists Residential District the Natural Energy Institute of the State Academy of Sciences in Pyongyang this week, KCNA released a statement on his behalf that read: "Our scientists are patriots who are devoting all their lives to building a rich and powerful nation."
"There is nothing to spare for them. It is necessary to project and treat scientists preferentially and always take care of them."
In the past month, the North Korean leader has missed several important events in his country, including welcoming athletes home from the Asian Games and attending several political events in the capital.
