N. Korea reports another inspection by its leader

SEOUL, Dec. 25 (Yonhap) -- North Korean head of state Kim Jong-il has inspected a major steel factory, Pyongyang's official news agency said on Thursday, in the most recent report of a public appearance by the reclusive leader amid rumors he is severely ill.

The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), however, again failed to reveal the exact
date of Kim's appearance. The report comes four days after Kim reportedly visited
a pottery manufacturer on Sunday.
"Our leader requested laborers at the Chollima Steel Complex to make the utmost
effort in constructing a powerful country by 2012 via new technology and
creativity," the KCNA said.
Intelligence officials in Seoul and Washington believe the 66-year-old Kim
suffered a stroke earlier this year and underwent brain surgery. Pyongyang has
angrily denied the rumor, and has since released photos of Kim inspecting
factories and military units on several occasions. But traces of manipulation and
the absence of dates have only further raised suspicions.
The KCNA said on Wednesday that Kim has made 91 inspection tours this year,
slightly up from the 86 public appearances he reportedly made in 2007.
Kim's health has been the subject of keen attention in the outside world due to
the communist state's nuclear ambitions.
The other five members of the six-party denuclearization talks -- which involve
the two Koreas, Japan, China, Russia and the United States -- fear a regime
change in Pyongyang would further hamper negotiations.
The talks have been hung-up for months over how to verify North Korea's June
nuclear declaration.
hayney@yna.co.kr
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