Seoul: North Korea released a new batch of photographs of Kim Jong Il today, apparently seeking to show that the country s absolute leader is not ill and has no problem in running the communist regime.
South Korean and US officials suspect that Kim suffered a serious health setback, possibly a stroke, in August. North Korea denies the speculation and has recently released a series of photos and news reports portraying Kim as active and healthy.
Kim s health is of keen interest because he rules the isolated, nuclear-armed nation with absolute authority and has not publicly named any successor.
Today, the North s official Korean Central News Agency released photos showing leader Kim posing with dozens of soldiers during a visit to two military units, Unit 2200 and a sub-unit of Unit 534. The report, however, did not say when Kim made the trips or where the two units are located.
In a close-up photo, posted on the Web site of Yonhap news agency, Kim was seen with his usual bouffant hairstyle, wearing his trademark sunglasses and a white winter parka.
One of the two wide-shot photos also shows Kim standing in front of trees with autumn foliage and a red-and-white banner saying, "Let's dedicate our lives to safeguarding our great leader and comrade Kim and his top revolutionary leaders."
The North's KCNA said in a dispatch monitored Wednesday in Seoul that Kim watched military training by the two units and expressed his satisfaction over their readiness to defeat any enemy invasions.
