ID :
28766
Thu, 11/06/2008 - 18:49
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/28766
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N. Korean media reports leader's visits to military units
PYONGYANG, Nov. 5 Kyodo - North Korea's official media said Wednesday the country's leader Kim Jong Il inspected two military units, marking his second reported public appearance in less than a week even as speculation of his ill health lingers outside the
country.
The Korean Central News Agency said in separate reports that Kim inspected
training by the Korean People's Army's Unit 2200 as well as a sub-unit under
Unit 534. The dates and places of the events were not mentioned, as is usually
the case with such visits.
The KCNA reports were dated Tuesday but moved early Wednesday.
In its late afternoon news broadcast, state-run television ran a total of about
30 photographs from the two events, half of them with the leader in the shots.
Kim, wearing sunglasses and a coat, was seen walking and waving in one of them.
Several showed him clapping or standing with military officials in the
background.
There was no video footage of the events in the broadcast.
Two pictures of Kim standing with more than 100 military personnel in each of
them -- which were also a part of the photographs on television -- were printed
on the front page of Wednesday's edition of the Rodong Sinmun, the newspaper of
the ruling Workers' Party of Korea.
''After watching the training of the brave soldiers, he expressed his
satisfaction,'' said the KCNA report about Kim's visit to the sub-unit.
Kim was accompanied by generals Hyon Chol Hae, Ri Myong Su and Kim Myong Guk on
both visits, according to KCNA.
The reports follow one dated Saturday saying the North Korean leader watched a
soccer match between teams of the military, his third public appearance since
foreign reports surfaced in September saying he had suffered a stroke.
A series of photographs was also released at that time, including one of a
smiling Kim.
Speculation surrounding Kim's health intensified after the leader stayed away
from celebrations for the 60th anniversary of the country's founding on Sept.
9.
North Korea has denied suggestions he has suffered a health setback.
While Kim's visit to a military unit was reported in October, this was the
first time since Aug. 11 that reports of two visits to military units came out
on a single day.
country.
The Korean Central News Agency said in separate reports that Kim inspected
training by the Korean People's Army's Unit 2200 as well as a sub-unit under
Unit 534. The dates and places of the events were not mentioned, as is usually
the case with such visits.
The KCNA reports were dated Tuesday but moved early Wednesday.
In its late afternoon news broadcast, state-run television ran a total of about
30 photographs from the two events, half of them with the leader in the shots.
Kim, wearing sunglasses and a coat, was seen walking and waving in one of them.
Several showed him clapping or standing with military officials in the
background.
There was no video footage of the events in the broadcast.
Two pictures of Kim standing with more than 100 military personnel in each of
them -- which were also a part of the photographs on television -- were printed
on the front page of Wednesday's edition of the Rodong Sinmun, the newspaper of
the ruling Workers' Party of Korea.
''After watching the training of the brave soldiers, he expressed his
satisfaction,'' said the KCNA report about Kim's visit to the sub-unit.
Kim was accompanied by generals Hyon Chol Hae, Ri Myong Su and Kim Myong Guk on
both visits, according to KCNA.
The reports follow one dated Saturday saying the North Korean leader watched a
soccer match between teams of the military, his third public appearance since
foreign reports surfaced in September saying he had suffered a stroke.
A series of photographs was also released at that time, including one of a
smiling Kim.
Speculation surrounding Kim's health intensified after the leader stayed away
from celebrations for the 60th anniversary of the country's founding on Sept.
9.
North Korea has denied suggestions he has suffered a health setback.
While Kim's visit to a military unit was reported in October, this was the
first time since Aug. 11 that reports of two visits to military units came out
on a single day.
