Amid ongoing speculation on North Korean leader Kim's grave illness, the Stalinist country’s state television on Saturday morning released photos of Kim Jong-il, in which he was inspecting a female artillery company, Yonhap News reported.
The North's Korean Central TV Saturday has been repeatedly airing the news, showing 10 photos of Kim inspecting the unit. The television footage, however, didn’t include a video clip, nor did it reveal when the North Korean leader made the visit.
The photos show Kim talking with soldiers, clapping and watching a firing drill in his iconic green jumper.
Kim looked to have lost some weight, possibly due to illness, but there was otherwise little change in his appearance, Yonhap said.
Kim, 66, has been absent from the public stage since Aug. 14, triggering speculation that he is recovering from a stroke. His much-noted absence from a parade marking the 60th anniversary of the country last month fueled the speculation.
South Korea’s vernacular media outlets such as Donga Ilbo are throwing doubts on the authenticity of the pictures, raising questions that the photos might have been taken earlier.
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경찰, 이태원 등 외국인 밀집지역 특별관리
