N. Korean leader makes record public appearances

SEOUL, July 2 (Yonhap) -- North Korean leader Kim Jong-il made a record number of
public appearances in the first half of 2009 compared to previous years and
increased inspections of economic sites, a tally of North Korean media reports
showed Thursday.
The number of Kim's public outings, as reported by the North's news outlets,
totaled 77 during the period, up from 49 last year.
The figure marks a significant increase since 1995, after Kim Il-sung, Kim's
father and North Korea's founder, died in 1994. He made 15 public appearances
during the first six months of that year. The previous record was 60 appearances
in 2002.
North Korea usually does not give the date of Kim's on-site inspections,
apparently for security reasons.
The North's official news agency, television stations and other media reported 31
inspections of economic sites and activities, including visits to factories and
farms, which accounted for some 40 percent of all of Kim's public appearances.
Military unit inspections and attending of arts and cultural exhibitions
accounted for 28.5 percent of his reported visits. In the past, Kim's visits to
military units accounted for 60 to 70 percent of his public appearances.
By traveling nationwide so often, Kim, 67, who reportedly had a stroke in August
last year, is largely seen as trying to demonstrate he is still in full charge of
the country, Seoul Unification Ministry spokesman Chun Hae-sung said earlier this
week.
Recent photos showed Kim wearing sneakers when walking on uneven surfaces and
flat dress shoes at farms and factories, instead of his signature platform shoes.
odissy@yna.co.kr
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