North Korean leader Kim Jong-un made a public appearance without a walking stick, as he convened a rare meeting of battalion commanders and political instructors of the country's troops, according to its state media Wednesday.
   
Kim attended the two-day meeting from Monday held in Pyongyang and had a photo session with participants, reported the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).
   
It was the first event of its kind in eight years. The previous meeting of battalion commanders and political instructors was held in 2006, chaired by late leader Kim Jong-il.
   
Addressing this week's meeting, Kim emphasized the importance of the role of the battalions in increasing military capability, the KCNA said.
  
"He set forth important tasks to be fulfilled to turn all battalions into invincible elite combat ranks capable of beating back any formidable enemy at one blow," it added.
   
The KCNA released several photos of Kim presiding over the meeting, which showed him walking with no cane.
  
It marked the first time that Kim appeared for a public event without a walking stick since he returned to the public scene last month after a six-week break.
   
South Korea's intelligence officials said Kim, reportedly in his early 30s, recently had ankle surgery. (Yonhap)