North Korean leader Kim Jong-il has made his first public appearance in nearly two months, U.S. broadcaster ABC reported Monday.
ABC cited analysts who said the appearance is "aimed at quelling speculations about his health," according to Yonhap News.
The report, however, did not elaborate on when and where Kim made the appearance. The South Korean government also declined to confirm the report, saying, ``Kim's public activity has not been detected recently.''
Reports have said he suffered a stroke and underwent brain surgery but North Korea denied the reports.
In its report, ABC showed footage of Kim entering a room in white attire, but beside him was a man believed to be former North Korean Prime Minister Yon Hyong-muk who died years ago.
Kim has been absent from public view since Aug. 14, spawning speculation about his health.
North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency released a photo of Kim in early October, saying he visited a female artillery unit to boost the morale of the troops.
Skepticism, however, abounded about the authenticity of the photo, which has a background of summer forest when North Korea in October should have fall colors.
North Korean media also reported Kim watched a football game a couple of weeks ago without revealing the date or showing any photos or video images of him.
North Korean media usually report Kim Jong-il's public appearances belatedly without giving specific dates, Yonhap said.