A photo of Kim Jong-un has been released, claimed by North Korea's state media to be the first since recent reports of his 'death'.
North Korea's state news agency KCNA said on Saturday leader Kim Jong-un attended the completion of a fertilizer plant in a region north of the capital, Pyongyang, in the first report of his public activity since April 11.
Reuters could not independently verify the KCNA report.
KCNA reported that Kim cut a ribbon at the ceremony on Friday and those attending the event "burst into thunderous cheers of 'hurrah!' for the Supreme Leader who is commanding the all-people general march for accomplishing the great cause of prosperity."
Kim expressed satisfaction about the production system of the fertilizer factory, saying the plant made significant contribution for the progress of the country's chemical industry and food production, KCNA said.
Kim was accompanied by several senior North Korean officials, including his younger sister Kim Yo Jong, KCNA said.
There has been speculation about Kim's health after he missed the birth anniversary celebrations of state founder Kim Il Sung on April 15.
The day is a major holiday in North Korea and Kim as leader usually pays a visit to the mausoleum where his grandfather lies in state.
Donald Trump said after the KCNA report - but before the publication of the photos - that he will have something to say about Kim at the 'appropriate time'.
"I'd rather not comment on it yet," Trump told reporters at the White House. "We'll have something to say about it at the appropriate time."
Trump has been unusually restrained on the subject of Kim since questions about the North Korean leader's whereabouts and health surfaced last month.
The two leaders have held three summits on efforts to persuade North Korea to denuclearize and, while Trump and Kim have gotten along well, no agreement has been achieved.
Asked by Reuters what he knew about Kim in an interview on Wednesday, Trump said, "I know everything," but would not be drawn out on any details.
Earlier, a source familiar with US intelligence analyses and reporting said that US agencies believed that Kim Jong Un is not seriously ill and that he still very much remains in power.
"We think he's still in charge," the source said on condition of anonymity.
