The family of the North Korean leader have kept a low profile since the start of the pandemic, with his wife not seen publicly since September last year and his aunt since January 2020.

But Ri Sol Ju and Kim Kyong Hui have now both been seen on state media attending an art performance at the Mansudae Art Theatre in Pyongyang to celebrate the Lunar New Year.

"When (Kim) appeared at the auditorium of the theatre with his wife, Ri Sol Ju, amid the playing of the welcome music, the audience raised stormy cheers of 'Hurrah!'" the official KCNA news agency said.

Footage showed Ri wearing a traditional red and black hanbok dress, talking and smiling with her husband.

The couple also went on stage to shake hands and take photos with artists.

Ri was last seen on 9 September, when she joined her husband on a visit to the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun on the anniversary of North Korea's founding.

It's where the embalmed bodies of the leader's grandfather and father are held.

Kim Jong Un's visit to the theatre came after the release of a typically dramatic propaganda film, which showed him riding a variety of horses.

His aunt, not seen since before the pandemic began, is a former senior official of the ruling Workers' Party.

She was a key figure during the early period of Kim's leadership, but has rarely been seen since 2013, when her husband was reportedly executed for treason.

The event comes amid renewed concern over North Korea's programme of missile tests, with more than half a dozen launched last month.