North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has appeared in photographs released by state media during a visit to a clothing exhibition, as speculation about his health and rumoured death circulates online.

The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported on Tuesday that Kim had visited an exhibition centre, where he inspected displays of clothing and footwear.

Photographs showed Kim walking around the venue with his daughter Kim Ju Ae and speaking to officials. His appearance suggested that he was in relatively good physical condition.

The release of the photographs comes amid online claims that Kim had died after suffering a brain haemorrhage and receiving emergency treatment at a hospital in Beijing. The reports further claimed that his body had been secretly returned to North Korea and that his influential sister, Kim Yo Jong, had taken power.

However, the claims have not been supported by medical records, eyewitnesses or independent confirmation.

Rumours about Kim’s health have surfaced repeatedly over the years. Analysts say North Korea’s tightly controlled information environment makes it difficult to obtain reliable information about the leader’s condition. Even his age — between 42 and 44 depending on sources — has never been officially confirmed.