With speculation rife about the health of Kim Jong-Un who hasn't been seen in public for a month, the reclusive North Korean leader raised eyebrows with a China National Day message sent to Chinese president Xi Jinping on Wednesday.

North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency reported the three-paragraph greeting sent to Xi to mark the 65th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China by the Communist Party.

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The message expressed hope for future prosperity for China and happiness for its people, according to KCNA. It was similar to anniversary messages sent by Kim in 2012 and 2013, following his accession to power in the wake of the December 2011 death of his father Kim Jong-Il.

The greeting was the first communication from Kim since disappearing from public view on Sept. 3, following a concert he attended with his wife. North Korea since has said he was in "discomfort," a rare statement about Kim's health that triggered rumors and speculation about what has happened to him.

Absent from a recent key meeting of the Supreme People's Assembly, or parliament, speculation about the health of the 31-year-old leader centered around Kim having gout or having broken one, or two, ankles, due to being overweight.

State-run Korean Central TV ran a documentary called "Improving the Lives of the People," during which it showed him limping during a factory tour while saying he was in an "indisposed condition."

Kim, who is quite obese, was seen limping on state TV pictures before disappearing. Some analysts said the limps combined with his health profile including overeating and not exercising, indicated he was suffering from gout.

Other sources said Kim was recovering following ankle surgery. They said Kim's ankle problems were caused by a combination of his excess weight and having to wear heeled shoes while touring numerous military installations. They said he was shooting for a return to public life by the end of October when he would celebrate Halloween.

Chosun Ilbo, South Korea's leading news outlet, said Kim injured one ankle this summer, then injured the other as well when he didn't seek treatment.

While the ankle injury scenario seemed most likely, the gout rumor and rumors he was the victim of a coup d'etat gained some traction in September. Treatment for diabetes or high blood pressure also had been rumored.

TagsNorth Korea, china national day, Korean Central News Agency, chosun ilbo