N. Korean leader visits troupe remaking Chinese opera

SEOUL, March 22 (Yonhap) -- North Korean leader Kim Jong-il has visited an art troupe remaking a Chinese opera as part of celebrations marking the allies' 60 years of relations, the country's state media said Sunday.

State media have been reporting on Kim's public activity for five consecutive
days. Some of the latest photos showed a much leaner Kim, with little trace of
his trademark potbelly.
After allegedly suffering a stroke last August, Kim is widely believed to have
considerably recovered and to be in full command now.
Kim's apparent weight loss could not be detected on photos released by the Korean
Central News Agency (KCNA) on Sunday, as he was sporting a thick silver parka he
mostly wore on outings last winter.
Kim emphasized cultural exchange with China during his visit to the Phibada Opera
Troupe that is recreating a Chinese opera of the 1960s, "Hong Lu Meng," the KCNA
said. North Korea and China plan to exchange a series of cultural events to
celebrate 60 years of diplomatic relations this year.
"It is the invariable will of our party and people to further consolidate and
develop the precious DPRK-China friendship provided by President Kim Il Sung and
leaders of the elder generation of China for a long period," Kim was quoted as
saying. DPRK stands for the Democratic Republic People's of Korea.
The North's state radio, the Korean Central Broadcasting Station, said the opera,
whose title means "Dream of the Red Chamber," tells the story of a fallen
aristocratic family in the waning years of China's feudal period in the 18th
century.
North Korean Premier Kim Yong-il returned Saturday from his five-day trip to
China, during which he met with Chinese President Hu Jintao and Premier Wen
Jiabao and visited agricultural and economic facilities.
hkim@yna.co.kr
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