• Video
  • Shop
  • Culture
  • Family
  • Wellness
  • Food
  • Living
  • Style
  • Travel
  • News
  • Book Club
  • Newsletter
  • Privacy Policy
  • Your US State Privacy Rights
  • Children's Online Privacy Policy
  • Interest-Based Ads
  • Terms of Use
  • Do Not Sell My Info
  • Contact Us
  • © 2026 ABC News
  • News

He's Back! See Kim Jong-un Step Out With a Cane After Weeks Missing

NaN:NaN
Cane and Able: Kim Jong-un Re-Emerges With Walking Support
EPN/Newscom
ByMEGHAN KENEALLY
October 14, 2014, 4:04 PM

— -- Kim Jong-un's back. But what's with the cane?

The mysterious, 40-day absence of North Korea's "dear leader" from public view ended on Monday when pictures emerged of him reportedly touring a residential facility in Pyongyang on an unspecified date.

A photo released by North Korea's official news agency on Oct 14, 2014 shows North Korean leader Kim Jong-un using a cane during his first public appearance in weeks.
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un gives field guidance to the newly built Wisong Scientists Residential District in this undated photo released by North Korea's Korean Central News Agency in Pyongyang, Oct. 14, 2014.

Though the world has wondered where he has been hiding for nearly six weeks, he looked jolly as ever in one of his standard photo ops.

Related Articles

Meet Kim Jong-un's Mysterious Sister

Related Articles

Kim Jong-Un Isn't the 1st Dictator to Go Missing

Related Articles

Where Is Kim Jong-un? And 6 More Questions About North Korea’s Leader

Smiles were seen all around, with the 31-year-old leader sporting a black pseudo-military-style outfit with a black cane amid speculation that he might be in failing health.

A photo released by North Korea's official news agency on Oct 14, 2014 shows North Korean leader Kim Jong-un using a cane during his first public appearance in weeks.

His first day out was a busy one, as he allegedly gave "field guidance" during a tour of the Wisong Scientists Residential District in the country's capital.

Like most things to come out of North Korea, there are very few confirmable facts. The undated photos were released by the state-run media and they did not include any video, which would show how much -- or how little -- trouble the 31-year-old had while walking.

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un appears at the newly built Wisong Scientists Residential District in this undated photo released by North Korea's Korean Central News Agency in Pyongyang Oct. 14, 2014.
A man watches a TV news program in Seoul, South Korea, Oct. 14, 2014, showing North Korean leader Kim Jong-un using a cane, reportedly during his first public appearance in five weeks in Pyongyang, North Korea.

The North Korean leader, whose actions typically fill much of the country's state-run media, was conspicuously missing for 40 days after last being seen was last seen in public at a concert on Sept. 3.

No official explanation was released by the notoriously secretive regime, but some in the West speculated that Kim's health may have been to blame for his time out of the spotlight.

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and his wife, Ri Sol-ju, watch a performance by the Moranbong Band in Pyongyang on Sept. 3, 2014.

Up Next in News—

Over 1 million Jeep Gladiator, Wrangler vehicles voluntarily recalled

June 10, 2026

Navy base employee critically injured in shark attack in Florida

June 10, 2026

Nick Reiner demands trust fund money to pay for his defense, court filing shows

June 9, 2026

Apple announces Siri AI and more at Tim Cook's last Worldwide Developers Conference

June 9, 2026

Shop GMA Favorites

ABC will receive a commission for purchases made through these links.

Sponsored Content by Taboola

The latest lifestyle and entertainment news and inspiration for how to live your best life - all from Good Morning America.
  • Contests
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Do Not Sell My Info
  • Children’s Online Privacy Policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Your US State Privacy Rights
  • Interest-Based Ads
  • About Nielsen Measurement
  • Press
  • Feedback
  • Shop FAQs
  • ABC News
  • ABC
  • All Videos
  • All Topics
  • Sitemap

© 2026 ABC News
  • Privacy Policy— 
  • Your US State Privacy Rights— 
  • Children's Online Privacy Policy— 
  • Interest-Based Ads— 
  • Terms of Use— 
  • Do Not Sell My Info— 
  • Contact Us— 

© 2026 ABC News