North Korean leader Kim Jong-un made fewer public appearances in 2014 than the previous year due to his alleged ankle surgery, which had kept him out of the public eye for more than a month, according to government data Thursday.

Kim made a total of 172 public appearances in 2014, 17.7 percent less than the total 209 outings registered in 2013, the data by the unification ministry showed.

Economy-related activities stood at 62, followed by visits to military units with 56 and social and cultural outings with 29.

The young leader suddenly disappeared from the public eye in early September last year, triggering wild speculation over a possible coup in the dictatorship and health problems.

He reappeared to the public about 40 days later, leaning on a walking stick.

South Korea's spy agency later said that Kim underwent a surgery during his time in seclusion to remove a cyst in his left ankle.

Hwang Pyong-so, the military's top political officer, accompanied Kim to 126 of the total 172 public outings in 2014, the largest number out of any North Korean official. (Yonhap)