Molly
10-13-2008, 08:41 PM
http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/Photo/_new/081013-kimjongil-hmed-3p.hmedium.jpg
In this photo, released by the Korean Central News Agency on Saturday, Kim Jong Il, wearing glasses, stands with soldiers during a visit to a military unit. The image shows him in a setting very similar to photographs from August, raising questions about when the photo was actually taken, and concerns about Kim's health following reports he suffered a stroke.
The 66-year-old communist leader disappeared from public view in mid-August and failed to make appearances on two national holidays — leading to speculation he was seriously ill. American and South Korean officials said he suffered a stroke and had brain surgery; North Korea has denied he is ailing.
One of the photos released Saturday shows Kim surrounded by uniformed soldiers against a backdrop that appears virtually identical to the photos from August — sand-colored buildings with window frames painted in turquoise. The report said he visited female soldiers attached to a unit identified by the number 821. It did not say when or where the inspection took place.
Kim disappeared from view at the same time his country stopped dismantling its nuclear program under an international disarmament accord. The North was angered by the U.S. refusal to remove it from the terror sponsors list, long a demand of the communist regime.
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In this photo, released by the Korean Central News Agency on Saturday, Kim Jong Il, wearing glasses, stands with soldiers during a visit to a military unit. The image shows him in a setting very similar to photographs from August, raising questions about when the photo was actually taken, and concerns about Kim's health following reports he suffered a stroke.
The 66-year-old communist leader disappeared from public view in mid-August and failed to make appearances on two national holidays — leading to speculation he was seriously ill. American and South Korean officials said he suffered a stroke and had brain surgery; North Korea has denied he is ailing.
One of the photos released Saturday shows Kim surrounded by uniformed soldiers against a backdrop that appears virtually identical to the photos from August — sand-colored buildings with window frames painted in turquoise. The report said he visited female soldiers attached to a unit identified by the number 821. It did not say when or where the inspection took place.
Kim disappeared from view at the same time his country stopped dismantling its nuclear program under an international disarmament accord. The North was angered by the U.S. refusal to remove it from the terror sponsors list, long a demand of the communist regime.
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