North Korean leader Kim Jong-il wears lace-up sneakers with rubber soles covering up to the front end during his inspection of a military unit in the left photo released on June 14. When Kim met with the late former President Roh Moo-hyun for the second inter-Korean summit in October 2007, he was photographed in highheeled black shoes. / Korea Times File |
By Kim Sue-young
Staff Reporter
Many people choose to wear high heels to make them slimmer and, most of all, taller. So too does North Korean leader Kim Jong-il, whose height is about 160 centimeters.
Due to his relatively short height, Kim is said to have worn heels, or shoes with thick insoles, from a young age.
But recently he showed up in public without the shoes, and instead wore sneakers.
Observers here assume that his stroke and subsequent bad health conditions have led Kim to wear more comfortable footwear.
North Korea's ``Dear Leader'' reportedly suffered a stroke last August. Months later, he appeared in public looking gaunt and thin.
When he met with former President Roh Moo-hyun and foreign dignitaries for the second inter-Korean summit in October 2007, he was photographed wearing high-heeled black shoes.
But Kim had abandoned his old custom when he showed up for an on-site inspection on Nov. 2, 2008 ― his first public appearance since the alleged illness ― wearing comfort shoes with rounded toes and virtually no heels.
A day before the May 25 nuclear test this year, Kim, in a photo released by North Korean media, wore sneakers with apparent rubber soles.
In the latest photo released on June 14, the secretive leader wore laced-up sneakers with rubber soles covering up to the front end during his inspection of a military unit.
Yet, he was still wearing his trademark khaki jumpsuit and sport sunglasses.
Meanwhile, Chinese media have reported that Kim's condition appears to be deteriorating.
ksy@koreatimes.co.kr
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무디스, 스페인·伊·포르투갈 신용등급 강등
