President Donald Trump has celebrated the apparent return of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to the public eye, stating he is glad to see him back in good health after rumors he had died.

The president retweeted pictures on Saturday of the dictator allegedly cutting the ribbon Friday at the Sunchon Phosphatic Fertilizer Factory.

He wrote, 'I, for one, am glad to see he is back, and well!'

Trump had initially refused to comment Friday after reports said the despot had made his first public appearance in 20 days following rumors he was suffering ill health or was in a vegetative state.

It is unclear whether the White House has authenticated the pictures released by North Korean state media. 

State media reported Kim cut the ribbon at the opening of a fertilizer factory on Friday - the first time it has mentioned him making a public appearance since speculation about his health began last month.

Kim 'attended the ceremony' on Friday and 'all the participants broke into thunderous cheers of 'hurrah!'' when he appeared, the Korean Central News Agency said.