Sunday, November 2, 2008

N. Korea Releases New Photos of Leader Kim Jong Il

Via Topix -

North Korea released new photographs of leader Kim Jong Il on Sunday amid intense speculation over the health of the communist country's absolute ruler.

Kim, 66, reportedly suffered a stroke and underwent brain surgery in August. North Korea has denied he is ill and has in recent weeks released news reports, photos and footage portraying the leader as active and able.

On Sunday, the North's state TV showed undated still photos of what it said is Kim watching a football match between two army-affiliated teams and talking with people, according to the South Korean Unification Ministry.

One of the photos shows Kim sitting with other people inside a building and watching something from what appears to be a special viewing stand. Kim is shown smiling, wearing his trademark sunglasses with a brown jacket and black pants, but scenes of any football match are not visible.

Other shots show Kim in the same clothes, talking with people near a field, although no football players are seen. Separate photos released show standalone scenes of a football match.

Earlier Sunday, the North's Korean Central News Agency reported that Kim attended a football match between Mangyongbong and Jebi teams of the (North) Korean's People's Army together with military personnel. The report did not say when and where the game was played.

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