More than a month after his absence from an important anniversary parade fueled theories that he had suffered a stroke, North Korea's leader, Kim Jong-il, was reported by state media on Saturday to have inspected a military unit.
Later on Saturday, state television carried still pictures of Kim, 66, chatting with the soldiers, clapping his hands and watching a military training exercise. The exact location and the date of what was described as a visit to a front-line unit was not disclosed.
They were the first pictures of him released in nearly two months. South Korea's Yonhap News Agency said Kim appeared to have lost some weight but appeared active.
It was the second time in a week that North Korea had reported a public appearance by Kim.
NEW YORK TIMES
