Seoul, Dec 28 (NationPress) In 2025, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un achieved the highest number of public appearances in nearly a decade, reflecting a surge in diplomatic activities and direct oversight of the nation's five-year development strategy, according to data released on Sunday.

As per reports from North Korea's state media, Kim's public engagements totaled 118 by the end of November, as indicated by the Korea Institute for National Unification.

With additional public events noted by state media from December 1 to 27, the total climbed to 131.

This figure represents a modest increase from last year's count of 127 and matches the peak recorded in 2016.

The institute noted that Kim's public activities have shown a consistent upward trend since reaching a low of 55 in 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The rise in public engagements is attributed to Kim's efforts to expand his diplomatic outreach, including his multilateral diplomatic debut, and to enhance the implementation of the nation's five-year development plan, which concludes this year, as reported by Yonhap news agency.

Out of this year's public activities until December 27, 30 involved ceremonial events, 23 were on-site inspections, and 21 were related to military matters.

Kim notably participated in numerous public events tied to his flagship "Regional Development 20 X 10 Policy", visiting construction sites and launch ceremonies for regional factories, hospitals, and other facilities established under the initiative.

His military-related public engagements, recorded at 21 this year, show a decline from 31 last year.

A significant highlight was Kim's much-publicized debut on the international diplomatic stage in September, where he attended a large-scale Chinese military parade in Beijing alongside other world leaders.

This year, Kim held five rounds of summit discussions, meeting and conversing with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping, and leaders from Laos and Vietnam.

Additionally, he publicly interacted with high-ranking foreign officials and emissaries on 10 occasions, including meetings with Chinese Premier Li Qiang and Russia's Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu.

The data also revealed that Jo Yong-won, a party secretary responsible for organizational matters, was Kim's most frequent companion during public appearances, joining him on 22 occasions, followed by Pak Jong-chon, vice chairman of the Central Military Commission of the ruling Workers' Party of Korea, with 19 appearances, and Defence Minister No Kwang-chol, who accompanied him 11 times.