ID :
28550
Wed, 11/05/2008 - 09:57
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://www.oananews.org//node/28550
The shortlink copeid
Kim Jong-il makes 2nd public appearance in three days: KCNA
SEOUL, Nov. 5 (Yonhap) -- North Korean leader Kim Jong-il has visited two military units to observe drills and encourage soldiers, North Korean media reported Wednesday.
The North's official Korean Central News Agency, however, did not provide
information on the locations of the units and when the visits were made. No
pictures of Kim inspecting the units were released.
The report comes just three days after North Korea showed Sunday several photos
of Kim watching a soccer game between soldiers believed to have been taken in
late October.
In the photos, Kim was seen smiling, with his weak left arm showing a possible
sign of paralysis.
South Korean officials have said Kim suffered a stroke and is recovering from
brain surgery, adding that the North Korean leader has no problem controlling
state affairs despite some health problems.
Kim inspected military unit 2200 and instructed the soldiers to strive to
"strengthen and develop the North Korean military with invincible revolutionary
force," according to the KCNA.
In another visit to military unit 534, Kim ordered the soldiers to "consolidate
their unbeatable military force by increasing political training in combat," the
report said.
Kim has visited a food processing plant, farm and other facilities of unit 534 in
years past.
Accompanied by several senior military leaders, Kim took photos along with the
soldiers of the units, according to the report.
North Korea customarily releases photos of Kim Jong-il's public appearances days
or sometimes hours after the initial reports of the appearances.
On Sunday, North Korea reported Kim's appearance at a soccer game match at 2 a.m.
and released photos at 9 a.m.
The reclusive North Korean leader had been absent from public view since Aug. 14
amid rumors that foreign doctors visited Pyongyang to treat him for a stroke.
The timing of Kim's disappearance coincided with the restart of North Korea's
disabled nuclear facilities in August in protest of the U.S. failure to delist
Pyongyang as a state sponsor of terrorism.
The North's hardline policy has triggered speculation that the military was using
Kim's health failure to derail the denuclearization talks.
North Korea last month resumed disabling its nuclear facilities as Washington
lifted it from a U.S. terrorism blacklist in return for the North's agreement to
allow access to its nuclear facilities by international monitors.
In early October, North Korean media released a photo of Kim inspecting a female
soldiers' unit only to trigger suspicions due to the apparent summer foliage
background.
hdh@yna.co.kr
(END)
The North's official Korean Central News Agency, however, did not provide
information on the locations of the units and when the visits were made. No
pictures of Kim inspecting the units were released.
The report comes just three days after North Korea showed Sunday several photos
of Kim watching a soccer game between soldiers believed to have been taken in
late October.
In the photos, Kim was seen smiling, with his weak left arm showing a possible
sign of paralysis.
South Korean officials have said Kim suffered a stroke and is recovering from
brain surgery, adding that the North Korean leader has no problem controlling
state affairs despite some health problems.
Kim inspected military unit 2200 and instructed the soldiers to strive to
"strengthen and develop the North Korean military with invincible revolutionary
force," according to the KCNA.
In another visit to military unit 534, Kim ordered the soldiers to "consolidate
their unbeatable military force by increasing political training in combat," the
report said.
Kim has visited a food processing plant, farm and other facilities of unit 534 in
years past.
Accompanied by several senior military leaders, Kim took photos along with the
soldiers of the units, according to the report.
North Korea customarily releases photos of Kim Jong-il's public appearances days
or sometimes hours after the initial reports of the appearances.
On Sunday, North Korea reported Kim's appearance at a soccer game match at 2 a.m.
and released photos at 9 a.m.
The reclusive North Korean leader had been absent from public view since Aug. 14
amid rumors that foreign doctors visited Pyongyang to treat him for a stroke.
The timing of Kim's disappearance coincided with the restart of North Korea's
disabled nuclear facilities in August in protest of the U.S. failure to delist
Pyongyang as a state sponsor of terrorism.
The North's hardline policy has triggered speculation that the military was using
Kim's health failure to derail the denuclearization talks.
North Korea last month resumed disabling its nuclear facilities as Washington
lifted it from a U.S. terrorism blacklist in return for the North's agreement to
allow access to its nuclear facilities by international monitors.
In early October, North Korean media released a photo of Kim inspecting a female
soldiers' unit only to trigger suspicions due to the apparent summer foliage
background.
hdh@yna.co.kr
(END)
