( CNN ) -- North Korean state media has attempted to end the international speculation about the whereabouts of leader Kim Jong Un by publishing the first photos of him in more than a month . The North Korean leader gave `` field guidance '' to a newly built residential district and visited the Natural Energy Institute of the State Academy of Sciences , state news agency KCNA reported Tuesday . Kim had n't been seen in public since he reportedly attended a concert with his wife on September 3 . It 's his longest absence from official events since he made his first public appearance in 2010 , according to NK News , a website devoted to analyzing North Korea . In the undated photos , Kim was surrounded by officials and could be seen walking with a cane . He was smiling and did n't appear , in the photos at least , to be in pain . Before his disappearance , Kim was seen limping , prompting theories that he was suffering everything from weight gain to gout . Non appearance . His sudden disappearance took a concerning turn on Friday when he did n't appear at a events to mark the 65th anniversary of the Worker 's Party of North Korea . In previous years , Kim has attended the Kamsusan Palace of the Sun in Pyongyang to pay tribute to his father and grandfather . This year his name was absent from the list of attendees . Instead , KCNA reported that flowers were presented at the shrine in Kim 's name . Kim 's failure to appear fueled rampant speculation : Was there a power shift in the North Korean hierarchy ? Could the young leader be ill ? According to Dr. Kim So-Yeon , the former personal doctor to Kim 's grandfather Kim Il Sung , Kim inherited a number of health issues , including psychological problems and a history of obesity . She told CNN both Kim Il Sung and Kim 's father Kim Jong Il suffered from diabetes , heart problems and stress . After studying the photos , she said Kim 's face appeared to have been swollen due to painkillers . And she also speculated that he has been receiving hormone shots to make him look more like his grandfather , the much-revered founder of North Korea . On Tuesday , U.S. National Security Council spokesman Patrick Ventrell said he could not confirm the KCNA report . `` We have seen these breaking reports but have nothing for you on their authenticity at this time , '' he said . Before this absence , Kim 's longest disappearance from public view as Supreme Leader was 24 days between June 7 and July 1 , 2012 . His second longest absence was for 29 days between July 28 and August 27 , 2011 -- while his father was still alive , NK News said . Kim 's sole public appearance in September was at a Moranbong Band concert at Pyongyang 's Mansudae Art Theatre , reported by state media on September 4 . He was accompanied by his wife , Ri Sol Ju , his sister Kim Yo Jong and several top officials including Hwang Pyong So . CNN 's Madison Park and Jim Acosta contributed to this report .
NEW : New photos are released of the North Korean leader . A U.S. spokesman can not confirm the authenticity of a KCNA report . Kim Jong Un has n't been seen in public since early September . His disappearance from the public eye has fueled rampant speculation .