A senior North Korean official in charge of construction has accompanied North Korean leader Kim Jong-un on a visit to a flood-hit city, Pyongyang's media said Thursday, in his first public appearance in a year to quell rumors of his purge.

Among Kim's entourage was Ma Won-chun, former director of the design department at the North's powerful National Defense Commission, when the North's leader visited the city of Rason on the North's northeast tip, according to the Korean Central News Agency.

Kim reportedly purged Ma, who spearheaded the construction of a new airport terminal in Pyongyang which opened in July. Ma was blamed for the terminal's failure to boost national character.

He has re-appeared in the public eye for the first time since November last year when Kim instructed his officials to modify the terminal's interior to highlight North Korea's national identity.

Under Kim's regime, Ma has been leading major construction projects such as the Masikryong Ski Resort on the North's east coast.

An analysis of Ma's photos showed that he appeared to have been demoted to a major general from a lieutenant general following the purported purge.

Meanwhile, Kim visited Rason, which was seriously hit by Typhoon Goni in late August, ahead of the 70th anniversary of the founding of the ruling Workers' Party which falls on Saturday.

The date of his visit was not specified, but it marked the second time that Kim toured the city to spur efforts for recovery.

In September, the North's leader visited the city bordering China and Russia, about a month after he ordered the completion of flood recovery work there before the key anniversary. (Yonhap)