Kim Jong-un has appeared in public for the first time in 20 days, North Korean state media says.

KCNA news agency reports that the North Korean leader on Friday cut the ribbon at the opening of a fertilizer factory.

It adds that people at the factory “broke into thunderous cheers of hurrah” when he appeared on Friday.

The reported appearance – his first since an event on state media on 12 April – comes amid global speculation over his health.

However, the latest reports from North Korean media could not be independently confirmed.

State media Korean Central News Agency later released images that it said showed Mr Kim accompanied by several senior North Korean officials, including his sister Kim Yo Jong cutting a ribbon at a ceremony at the plant.

The ceremony happened in a region north of Pyongyang, and people who were 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” media reported, KCNA says.

Speculation about Mr Kim’s health began after he missed for the first time, the birth anniversary celebrations of his grandfather, state founder Kim Il Sung on 15 April.

The event is one of the biggest events in the North Korean calendar, and Mr Kim usually marks it by visiting the mausoleum where his grandfather lies.

What started speculation about his health?

Speculation about Mr Kim’s health began after he missed the birth anniversary celebrations of his grandfather, state founder Kim Il Sung on 15 April.

The anniversary is one of the biggest events in the North Korean calendar, and Mr Kim usually marks it by visiting the mausoleum where his grandfather lies. Mr Kim had never missed this event.

Claims about Mr Kim’s ill-health then surfaced in a report for a website run by North Korean defectors.