N. Korea reports Kim Jong-il's inspection for 3rd day in row

SEOUL, Dec. 19 (Yonhap) -- North Korean leader Kim Jong-il has inspected a
military unit, Pyongyang's news agency said Friday, the third such reported
public tour in as many days despite persistent rumors of his ill health.
"Walking in the compound of the barracks, he acquainted himself with how the unit
manages itself and praised the servicemembers of the unit" for their well-managed
facilities, the Korean Central News Agency said of Kim's visit to the Korean
People's Army unit 955.
It gave no date for the inspection, as usual. By the count of the North's
reports, it was Kim's third public activity this week.
North Korea said on Thursday that Kim had visited a steel factory, following a
broad tour to an electronics center, a library and a pharmaceutical plant
reported a day earlier. It promptly followed up on the report with photos.
Seoul and Washington officials have said the 66-year-old Kim had a stroke and
underwent a brain surgery. Pyongyang has vehemently denied the rumors, releasing
a series of photos of his inspections to military units and cultural events.
But traces of manipulation and absence of dates have fed the speculation.
Kim's health has been a subject of keen attention as he has not publicly
nominated a successor. Kim, who took power after his father and North Korean
founder Kim Il-sung died in 1994, is believed to have diabetes and heart
problems.
Officials believe Kim is recovering and still in control of the country. He is
"alive, and he remains in control of the North Korean government," Adm. Timothy
Keating of the U.S. Pacific Command told reporters in Washington on Thursday.
In a rare move, North Korea accused Seoul on Thursday of plotting to assassinate
Kim. It claimed to have arrested a North Korean national who was groomed by the
South's intelligence agency for the alleged terror plot. South Korea denied
involvement.
Experts say it is very rare for Pyongyang to publicize a terror attempt against
its reclusive leader.
hkim@yna.co.kr
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