N. Korean leader thinner with no potbelly

(ATTN: RECASTS with pictures of Kim, new swimming pool)
By Kim Hyun
SEOUL, March 20 (Yonhap) -- North Korean leader Kim Jong-il appeared to have shed
pounds and even lost his potbelly as the country's state media on Friday released
the latest pictures of him visiting a new swimming complex.
Kim, 67, reportedly suffered a stroke in August, but he is now believed to have
recovered considerably as he has more than doubled his public activities this
year. North Korea's media have been reporting on his public tours for three
consecutive days.
But the latest pictures released by the North's Korean Central News Agency (KCNA)
showed a much leaner Kim, dressed in a loosely fitted dark gray uniform shirt and
pants, with little trace of his trademark potbelly. He appeared to be thinner
than in January, when his photographs were released by Chinese media after his
rare meeting with a visiting Chinese official.
His weight loss had not been detected before, as he always wore a thick parka
during outings last winter.
It also could not be confirmed whether his weight loss was caused by ill health,
aging, or a weight control program.
The KCNA said the new swimming complex at Kim Il Sung University was built at the
leader's personal initiative and is large enough to host international
competitions. It didn't reveal the size, but one of the pictures showed a brand
new nine-lane indoor pool with audience seats on the second floor and lighting on
the ceiling.
"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.
Seoul officials believe Kim is the sole figure who makes important decisions for
his country.
Pyongyang told international agencies earlier this month that it will launch what
it claims to be a "communication satellite" into orbit sometime between April
4-8.
Countries in the region believe the launch may be a cover for testing a ballistic
missile.
A day after the launch period ends, North Korea will call the first meeting of
its newly elected assembly on April 9, its state media said Friday. The timing
appears to be an attempt to amplify the effects of the launch on internal
politics.
hkim@yna.co.kr
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