The U.S. has not been able to identify a public appearance of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un for over two weeks, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Thursday.

The comments come as speculation continues to grow around the world about the status of the DPRK leader’s health, following his lengthy and unexplained absence from the public eye.

Kim Jong Un’s whereabouts were last reported in DPRK state media on April 12. Since then, a torrent of rumors has emerged suggesting that the Supreme Leader may be severely ill, incapacitated, or even dead.

Speaking in an interview with