ID :
19544
Mon, 09/15/2008 - 12:55
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/19544
The shortlink copeid
Kim out of public view as major holiday passes
SEOUL, Sept. 15 (Yonhap) -- North Korean leader Kim Jong-il remained out of the public eye on Monday, a day after Koreans marked one of their largest traditional holidays, amid reports that the 66-year-old's illness has worsened recently.
Some media here expected that Kim might use "Chuseok," a harvest celebration on the autumn full moon, to end public misgivings about his health
and show that he is capable of ruling the totalitarian nation.
Kim has made regular appearances during the holiday in previous years. But the
North's state news agency has so far given no report on Kim's public activity
over the long weekend this year.
The North Korean leader is known to suffer from diabetes and chronic heart
disease, which he partly inherited from his late father Kim Il-Sung, who founded
the communist country. The senior Kim died in 1994 of heart attack.
The North's propaganda media routinely carries reports on Kim to help tighten his
grip on the regime. But the media has not reported a public appearance by Kim
since Aug. 14, and he missed a key national event last week to mark the 60th
birthday of his nation, lending credence to rumors of his latest health setback.
South Korea's main intelligence agency said Kim suffered a stroke in the middle of
last month and is recovering well enough to brush his teeth by himself and stand
on his feet if assisted.
Japanese daily the Mainichi Shimbun, however, said Kim's illness is far more
serious than reported and that he is unable to govern the nation.
Officials here said they have yet to verify the report.
The North's media has remained silent on Kim's health, only providing brief
reports on his non-public activities.
Kim received a gift from a delegation from Myanmar and sent a birthday greeting
to Russian President Dmitry Medvedev over the weekend, according to the North'
official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).
The limited reports mark a sharp contrast with those from year past.
The KCNA said on the Chuseok holiday in 2005 that that Kim inspected the
Moranbong Theater in downtown Pyongyang. In 2006, Kim was reported to have viewed
a concert by a military orchestra. On last year's Chuseok holiday, Kim inspected
a military unit, according to the KCNA.
lcd@yna.co.kr
(END)
Some media here expected that Kim might use "Chuseok," a harvest celebration on the autumn full moon, to end public misgivings about his health
and show that he is capable of ruling the totalitarian nation.
Kim has made regular appearances during the holiday in previous years. But the
North's state news agency has so far given no report on Kim's public activity
over the long weekend this year.
The North Korean leader is known to suffer from diabetes and chronic heart
disease, which he partly inherited from his late father Kim Il-Sung, who founded
the communist country. The senior Kim died in 1994 of heart attack.
The North's propaganda media routinely carries reports on Kim to help tighten his
grip on the regime. But the media has not reported a public appearance by Kim
since Aug. 14, and he missed a key national event last week to mark the 60th
birthday of his nation, lending credence to rumors of his latest health setback.
South Korea's main intelligence agency said Kim suffered a stroke in the middle of
last month and is recovering well enough to brush his teeth by himself and stand
on his feet if assisted.
Japanese daily the Mainichi Shimbun, however, said Kim's illness is far more
serious than reported and that he is unable to govern the nation.
Officials here said they have yet to verify the report.
The North's media has remained silent on Kim's health, only providing brief
reports on his non-public activities.
Kim received a gift from a delegation from Myanmar and sent a birthday greeting
to Russian President Dmitry Medvedev over the weekend, according to the North'
official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).
The limited reports mark a sharp contrast with those from year past.
The KCNA said on the Chuseok holiday in 2005 that that Kim inspected the
Moranbong Theater in downtown Pyongyang. In 2006, Kim was reported to have viewed
a concert by a military orchestra. On last year's Chuseok holiday, Kim inspected
a military unit, according to the KCNA.
lcd@yna.co.kr
(END)
