N. Korean leader watches military art performance: report

SEOUL, Feb. 23 (Yonhap) -- North Korean leader Kim Jong-il watched a music
performance by a military art squad, the state media said Monday, marking what
appears to be three consecutive days of his public appearance.

Kim, who turned 67 last week, sharply raised public visits this year as the
country strives to build a "great, prosperous and powerful nation" by 2012, the
100th anniversary of Kim's father and North Korean leader Kim Il-sung's birth.
The Seoul government says he has recovered considerably from a reported stroke in
August and is now in full control of the country, although concern about his
health lingers.
"He extended thanks to the art squad, highly appreciating its presentation,
noting that it was the best of the recent performances given by the art squads of
the KPA units as it was of high artistic and educational value," the Korean
Central News Agency (KCNA) said of his visit to the performance by the art squad
of Large Combined Unit 264 of the Korean People's Army.
The squad presented female solos "Arirang of Army-People Unity" and "We Started
from Scratch" and a chorus performance of "We Will Defend the Headquarters of the
Revolution at the Cost of Our Lives" as well as other songs, it said.
As usual, the report did not give the date for his visit, but North Korean media
usually reports Kim's public activities on the day they are made or the following
day.
Kim was accompanied by Kim Ki-nam, secretary of the Workers' Party central
committee, and Jang Song-thaek and Pak Nam-gi, department directors of the party
central committee, the KCNA said.
The KCNA also reported on Sunday that Kim gave field guidance to the July 7
Complex, a chemical manufacturer in Chongjin, North Hamkyong Province, following
visits to the Kim Chaek Iron and Steel Complex and the Ranam Coal Mining Machine
Complex in the same region on Saturday.
hkim@yna.co.kr
(END)