Kim Jong Un seen laughing, smiling, smoking and waving to crowds, North Korea state media reports

Kim Jong Un made an appearance at a May Day celebration, at which he was pictured smoking and laughing, North Korean state-run media has reported. This would be the leader’s first public appearance in about three weeks after global speculation over his health. Kim spoke to officials at an event to celebrate Labor Day and inaugurate a fertilizer plant, according to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). “When the Sunchon Phosphatic Fertilizer Manufacturing Plant goes into operation, it will represent a historical development in our country’s fertilizer industry, it will be a glorious revolution and a splendid display of our nation’s great economic potential, and it will be an uplifting banner that assures us of the achievements of our country’s general economic frontline,” Kim said, according to the KCNA report. The report added that Kim “expressed satisfaction about the wonderful creation” and congratulated staff from Kim Chaek University of Technology, “repeatedly stressing that talents are a great source and a motive power of the development of the country.” State-run media North Korean Central Television broadcast a video of Kim’s purported appearance at the celebration, where Kim can be seen walking, sitting on a stage alongside his sister Kim Yo Jong and other North Korean officials, smoking and laughing heartily. When Kim is not walking, he is seen transported in a golf buggy sitting very close to other government officials in the vehicle who are not wearing surgical masks. Kim’s security detail can be seen walking behind him and wearing black masks. KCNA also released a still photograph purportedly showing Kim at the ceremony. The picture shows him cutting a red ribbon, with his sister Kim Yo Jong behind him. CNN cannot independently verify KCNA’s or KCTV’s reports, the authenticity of the photograph or video or the date it was shot. As recently as last week, the United States was monitoring intelligence suggesting Kim was in grave danger following a surgical procedure. National security adviser Robert O’Brien said the US was “keeping a close eye” on reports about Kim’s health. “We’re monitoring these reports very closely,” O’Brien said during an interview with Fox News on April 21. “As you know, North Korea is a very closed society,” he said. Questions were raised about Kim’s well-being after he missed the celebration of his grandfather’s birthday on April 15. He had been seen four days before that at a politburo meeting, according to KCNA. North Korean state newspaper Rodong Sinmun said Sunday that Kim sent thanks to workers who helped in remodeling the city of Samjiyon. CNN cannot independently confirm the authenticity of Sunday’s report and whether the note of thanks came directly from the leader. The same newspaper said Friday that Kim had “sent thanks” to exemplary party members for their work promoting party policy. The article did not give details for when or how his sentiments were expressed. It is not the first time North Korean media has reported on Kim’s activities since news of his potential health issues emerged. US President Donald Trump declined to comment on the May Day appearance report. “I’d rather not comment on it yet, Kim Jong Un. We’ll have something to say about it at the appropriate time,” he told reporters before departing the White House for Camp David. On Sunday, South Korean presidential adviser Moon Chung-in told CNN that the North Korean leader was “alive and well” despite speculation about his health. The adviser to South Korean President Moon Jae-in said Kim had been staying in the Wonsan area, on the country’s east coast, since April 13, adding: “No suspicious movements have so far been detected.” A website specializing in North Korean affairs published satellite images on Saturday that researchers said showed a train, “probably belonging to Kim,” which had been parked at a railway station serving his luxurious Wonsan compound on the country’s eastern coast since at least April 21.