North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has paid tribute to a key contributor to Pyongyang's missile development.br According to the North's state-run media,... on Tuesday, Kim attended the funeral of Ju Kyu-chang , who died at the age of 89 from pancytopenia.... and expressed his condolences to his family.br Ju is the former director of the North's defense ministry,... and played a major role in developing the regime's long-range missiles, including the Unha-2 and Unha-3.br And for such involvement, he was sanctioned by the United States in 2013.br It's the first time the North Korean leader has made a public appearance since over a fortnight ago,... when he visited a medical equipment factory.... and was seen at the funeral for former defense chief Kim Yong-chun.