N. Korean media report Kim Jong-il inspects military base

SEOUL, Oct. 12 (Yonhap) -- North Korea's state-run media reported the country's
leader, Kim Jong-il, visited a military unit for the second consecutive day on
Sunday amid speculations about his health.
North Korean watchers in Seoul said that (North) Korean Central Television
Station and Radio Pyongyang aired three separate reports this morning on Kim's
tour of the frontline Army base, after 20 such reports the day before.
Coverage in the South was accompanied by several photos of the North Korean
leader, although no video footage was released by North Korean media.
Both the Korean Central News Agency and Korean Central Television Station
reported that Kim, who is believed to have suffered a stroke in August, visited a
women's artillery unit on Saturday.
The reports were followed by statements issued Friday by Kim about the
invincibility of the North Korean regime based on the state's "Juche" ideology.
The term, which means "self-reliance," is the backbone of North Korea's brand of
socialism.
South Korean experts, meanwhile, said that if the photos were genuine they showed
no signs of Kim suffering from paralysis or other complications commonly
associated with stroke victims.
The North has vehemently denied reports that the reclusive 66-year-old leader
fell ill and warned South Korean media not to report such "lies."
Speculation on Kim's illness was fueled by his conspicuous absence from the
public view since Aug. 14, failing to show up for the anniversary marking the
founding of the North Korean regime on Sept. 9. The event is usually followed by
a large military parade and almost always attended by top leaders, including Kim.