Kim Jong Il photos bid to quiet health fears
Kim, 66, reportedly suffered a stroke and underwent brain surgery in August. North Korea has denied he is ill and has in recent weeks released news reports, photos and footage portraying the leader as active and able.
Yesterday, North Korea’s state TV showed undated still photos of what it said is Kim watching a football match between two army-affiliated teams and talking with people, said the South Korean Unification Ministry.
One of the photos shows Kim sitting with other people inside a building and watching something from what appears to be a special viewing stand. Kim is shown smiling, wearing his trademark sunglasses with a brown jacket and black pants, but scenes of any football match are not visible.
Other shots show Kim in the same clothes, talking with people near a field, although no football players are seen. Separate photos released show standalone scenes of a football match.
Earlier yesterday, the North Korean Central News Agency reported that Kim attended a football match between Mangyongbong and Jebi teams of the (North) Korean’s People’s Army together with military personnel. The report did not say when and where the game was played.
Japan’s Fuji television has reported Kim’s eldest son, Kim Jong Nam, flew to Paris to recruit a neurosurgeon to treat his father. Japanese prime minister Taro Aso told lawmakers the French doctor boarded a flight to Beijing, perhaps en route to North Korea.
