Kim Jong-un makes 2nd appearance after absence
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un made his second public appearance this week, still leaning on a walking stick, according to the country's state media on Friday.
He made an inspection tour of a new apartment complex for educators at the Kim Chaek University of Technology in Pyongyang, the Korean Central News Agency reported.
It released several photos of Kim looking around the town and inside some faculty flats. He was seen walking and sitting with a cane for support as he did during a tour of housing facilities for scientists reported Tuesday.
As he provided a "field guidance" at the twin 46-story facilities for educators at the college, Kim delivered a message of "best wishes to teachers and researchers for their pleasant and happy life in their new flats," the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported.
The North's communist party newspaper, the Rodong Sinmun, also carried related reports and pictures.
Kim's choice of another housing zone was viewed as intended to promote his image as a leader interested in people's livelihoods.
He visited the site in May and August as well and ordered related authorities to finish construction works by the 69th anniversary of the founding of the Workers' Party of Korea on Oct. 10.
As usual, the KCNA did not clarify the date of Kim's latest inspection tour. It seems to have occurred on Thursday.
The series of Kim's public activities silenced most rumors about his health and a possible leadership crisis, although no video clip on his move this week was made public.
Kim, known to be in his early 30s, took the helm of the communist nation in late 2011 after the sudden death of his father Kim Jong-il. (Yonhap)