Kim Jong-il Makes First Public Appearance in 2009

Amid continued speculation on the health of North Korean leader Kim Jong-il, the Stalinist country’s state-run media Friday said Kim made an inspection on a military unit _ the reclusive leader’s first public appearance in the New Year.

The North's state-run Korean Central News Agency said Kim paid an on-site visit to the "Guard Seoul Ryu Kyong Su Tank Division 105." The news was datelined Friday but did not specify the timing of Kim's visit, Yonhap News reported Saturday.

The North's state media has recently carried a raft of reports on Kim's public activities since speculation about his ailing health heightened following the leader's absence from events on Sept. 9 marking the 60th anniversary of North Korea's foundation.

Kim offered New Year's greetings to the soldiers and expressed his appreciation for their revolutionary and martial spirit. Kim, however, was not directly quoted.

The military unit, named after a late North Korean military commander during the Korean War, is the communist country's first tank division, according to the report. It was known to be under the direct command of the late leader, Kim Il-sung.