N. Korea`s leader inspects two military units, KCNA says

SEOUL, Dec. 28 (Yonhap) -- North Korean leader Kim Jong-il, who appears to be
recovering quickly from a stroke, recently inspected two of his country's
military units, the North's state media reported Sunday in its latest report of
Kim's public activities.
The 66-year-old leader toured the command of KPA (Korean People's Army) Unit 323
and KPA Air Force Unit 1017 on Saturday, the Korean Central News Agency said in
two separate reports.
Kim has been out of the public eye since Aug. 14 amid reports that foreign
doctors entered North Korea to conduct brain surgery on the leader. North Korea
has denied reports of its leader's illness.
The outside world is keenly interested in Kim's health because of his country's
nuclear weapons program. Pyongyang is backpedaling from a six-party deal, under
which it is obliged to dismantle its nuclear programs in return for aid.
During the visit to the command of KPA Unit 323, Kim "praised the unit for having
prepared the servicepersons as fighters strong in ideology by dynamically
conducting the political work," the KCNA said.
Kim had a photo session with soldiers following the visit.
Kim was not directly quoted in the two English-language KCNA reports.
The North's state media has carried reports about Kim's public activities
accompanied by still photographs, but speculation about his illness heightened
following his absence from events on Sept. 9 event marking the 60th anniversary
of North Korea's foundation.
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