Kim Jong Un appears in public, ends weeks long speculations

Beijing : North Korean leader Kim Jong Un made his first public appearance after weeks of speculations on his health. He was seen cutting the ribbon at the opening of a fertilizer factory, KCNA reported Saturday.

Kim attended the event three weeks after reports of his deteriorating health came into light.

He was not seen anywhere since presiding over a Workers' Party politburo meeting on April 11, and the following day state media reported that he had inspected fighter jets.

At Friday's event, "all the participants broke into thunderous cheers of 'hurrah!'" when Kim appeared, the Korean Central news agency reported.

He inspected the facility and was "briefed about the production processes," the report said.

Kim "said with deep emotion" that his grandfather Kim Il Sung and father Kim Jong Il "would be greatly pleased if they heard the news that the modern phosphatic fertilizer factory has been built," it added.

Along with him, his sister and close adviser, Kim Yo Jong was also present.

The advisor, Moon Chung-in, told CNN that Kim had been staying in Wonsan -- a resort town in the east of North Korea -- since April 13, adding: "No suspicious movements have so far been detected."