ID :
23866
Sat, 10/11/2008 - 10:01
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/23866
The shortlink copeid
Kim Jong-il visits military unit
(ATTN: UPDATES throughout with details of photos, more background)
SEOUL, Oct. 11 (Yonhap) -- North Korean leader Kim Jong-il recently visited a military unit to boost the morale of the troops, the North's media reported Saturday, with photos of him inspecting the unit amid ongoing speculation about Kim's frail health.
Kim "inspected a female artillery company" to evaluate the company's readiness,
attend a firing drill and take photos with soldiers there, the North's official
Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported.
The KCNA has not yet released photos of Kim visiting the facility. It normally
provides photos of Kim visiting military units one or two days after the release
of articles on the visit.
The North's Korean Central TV, however, has been repeatedly broadcasting the news
along with 10 photos of Kim inspecting the unit.
The reports, however, did not reveal when the North Korean leader, accompanied by
several North Korean generals, made the latest visit.
The photos 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
otheriwse little change in his appearance.
Kim, 66, has been absent from the public stage since Aug. 14, triggering
speculation he is recovering from a stroke and that the North's military is using
his health failure to get tough in multilateral talks on the North's
denuclearization. His conspicuous absence from a parade marking the 60th
anniversary of the country last month fueled the speculation.
Kim's health is the subject of keen attention since he has not publicly nominated
any successor. He officially took power after his father, state founder Kim
Il-sung, died of a heart attack in 1997.
North Korean media recently reported Kim Jong-il 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 expressed satisfaction that "the company soldiers are performing their duties
with an utmost readiness against the enemy's aggressive movements which are
getting serious day by day," KCNA reported.
The North Korean leader also evaluated the female soldiers' financial management
of their unit, inspecting tree plantings and grain crops they are tending, the
report said.
hdh@yna.co.kr
sshim@yna.co.kr
(END)
SEOUL, Oct. 11 (Yonhap) -- North Korean leader Kim Jong-il recently visited a military unit to boost the morale of the troops, the North's media reported Saturday, with photos of him inspecting the unit amid ongoing speculation about Kim's frail health.
Kim "inspected a female artillery company" to evaluate the company's readiness,
attend a firing drill and take photos with soldiers there, the North's official
Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported.
The KCNA has not yet released photos of Kim visiting the facility. It normally
provides photos of Kim visiting military units one or two days after the release
of articles on the visit.
The North's Korean Central TV, however, has been repeatedly broadcasting the news
along with 10 photos of Kim inspecting the unit.
The reports, however, did not reveal when the North Korean leader, accompanied by
several North Korean generals, made the latest visit.
The photos 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
otheriwse little change in his appearance.
Kim, 66, has been absent from the public stage since Aug. 14, triggering
speculation he is recovering from a stroke and that the North's military is using
his health failure to get tough in multilateral talks on the North's
denuclearization. His conspicuous absence from a parade marking the 60th
anniversary of the country last month fueled the speculation.
Kim's health is the subject of keen attention since he has not publicly nominated
any successor. He officially took power after his father, state founder Kim
Il-sung, died of a heart attack in 1997.
North Korean media recently reported Kim Jong-il 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 expressed satisfaction that "the company soldiers are performing their duties
with an utmost readiness against the enemy's aggressive movements which are
getting serious day by day," KCNA reported.
The North Korean leader also evaluated the female soldiers' financial management
of their unit, inspecting tree plantings and grain crops they are tending, the
report said.
hdh@yna.co.kr
sshim@yna.co.kr
(END)
