N. Korean leader visits new swimming complex in Pyongyang

SEOUL, March 20 (Yonhap) -- North Korean leader Kim Jong-il has visited a newly built university swimming complex in Pyongyang that is large enough to host international competitions, the country's state media said Friday.

North Korea's media have been reporting on Kim's brisk public activity for three
consecutive days, while international attention was focused on the country's
rocket launch set for early April.
Seoul officials say the 67-year-old Kim has more than doubled his public
appearances this year, a sign that he is in full command of the country after
reportedly suffering a stroke in August.
The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said the new swimming complex at Kim Il
Sung University was built on the leader's personal initiative and is large enough
to host international competitions. It didn't give the size, except to say it has
large swimming and wading pools.
"They have been built in such a peculiar style that they not only offer the
teachers and students an ample opportunity of training their bodies and enjoying
cultural rest but can host international competitions," the KCNA said.
Kim "expressed great satisfaction over the fact that another precious treasure
has been created to be bequeathed to the generations to come," it said.
"Our party stints no money for the rising generation, the future of the country,"
Kim was quoted as saying.
Kim had visited an automaker's plant on Wednesday and watched a music performance
by university students on Thursday.
Pyongyang told international agencies earlier this month that it will launch what
it claims to be a "communication satellite" into orbit some time between April
4-8.
A day after the launch period, North Korea will call the first meeting of its
newly elected assembly on April 9, the state media said Friday. The timing
appeared to be an attempt to amplify the effects on internal politics.