N. Korean leader reportedly in Pyongyang ahead of rocket launch

SEOUL, April 5 (Yonhap) -- North Korean leader Kim Jong-il appears to be in
Pyongyang as his country prepares to go ahead with its rocket launch, following
state media reports on Sunday of his field guidance in the capital.
Kim's public appearance was last reported on March 28 when he visited machinery
plants in South and North Pyongan provinces, a relatively long interval. His
public tours had been reported almost daily in recent weeks.
North Korea said on Saturday morning that it would "soon" launch what it calls
communications satellite Kwangmyongsong-2 from its northeast coast. The launch
has yet to occur amid speculation that strong winds at the launch site may have
caused the delay.
North Korea has given notice to U.N. agencies it will launch the satellite during
daylight hours from between 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. local time between Saturday and
Wednesday.
The Korean Central News Agency said Kim gave field guidance to the renovated
Pyongyang Grand Theatre but as usual did not give the date for the visit. The
state media is generally believed to report on Kim's trips on the day they are
made or the following day.
"Commanding a bird's-eye view of the theatre which looks magnificent and
splendid, he recollected with deep emotion the unforgettable historic days," the
report said.
The theater, built by Kim's father and late President Kim Il-sung, was the venue
for art shows and major political events of the Workers' Party.
"It is our sacred duty and noble sense of obligation to make this precious legacy
bequeathed to us by the President shine generation after generation," he was
quoted as saying.
The report made no mention of the imminent rocket launch.
hkim@yna.co.kr
(END)