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(4th LD) N.K. media release photos of Kim Jong-il inspecting army unit
SEOUL, Oct. 11 (Yonhap) -- State-run North Korean television on Saturday aired photos of the country's leader Kim Jong-il inspecting a frontline military unit amid ongoing speculation about his frail health.
It marked the first time in 58 days that photos of Kim in public have been broadcast by North Korean news media.
Kim, 66, has been out of the public view since Aug. 14 when he inspected a military unit in the communist state. His conspicuous absence from major events, including one marking the 60th anniversary of the country, triggered speculation about his failing health.
South Korean intelligence officials have said Kim is recovering from a stroke after undergoing brain surgery in mid August. North Korean officials have vehemently denied such statements.
The 10 photos broadcast repeatedly by the North's Korean Central TV show Kim conversing with soldiers, clapping and watching a firing drill in his trademark dark sunglasses and olive green jumper.
He looked to have lost some weight, possibly due to illness, but there was otherwise little change in his appearance.
No video footage has been released by the state broadcaster.
Kim inspected a female artillery company under the People's Army Unit No. 821 to evaluate the company's readiness, attend a firing drill and take photos with soldiers there, the TV report said.
It did not reveal the timing and location of the visit.
But a report from the North's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on July 29, 2004 placed the artillery company in a frontline area following a visit by Kim. The leader has visited the company at least four times since 2001, according to the North's media reports.
Earlier on Saturday, the KCNA released a more detailed report on Kim's latest visit but did not carry any photos. It normally provides photos of Kim visiting military units one or two days after the release of articles on the visit.
Kim looked around lecture halls, bed rooms, restaurants and various other facilities of the company to get a better feel for the life of the soldiers, the KCNA report said.
He expressed satisfaction that "the company soldiers are performing their duties with an utmost readiness against the enemy's aggressive movements, which are getting more serious day by day," the report said.
The North Korean leader also evaluated the units' financial management, inspecting tree plantings and grain crops tended to by the female soldiers, according to the report.
North Korea's radio stations, Radio Pyongyang and the Korean Central Broadcasting Station, have since been repeatedly airing the report.
Rodong Shinmun, the most influential newspaper in the country, also carried the report on the front page of Saturday's edition, along with a photo of Kim inspecting the military facility.
North Korean media recently reported Kim watched a soccer game without specifying the date or showing any photos or video images of him. North Korean media usually report Kim's public appearances belatedly without giving specific dates.
Kim's health is the subject of keen attention since he has not publicly nominated any successor and is widely believed to suffer from diabetes and heart disease. He officially took power after his father, state founder Kim Il-sung, died of a heart attack in 1997.
hdh@yna.co.kr
sshim@yna.co.kr
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