N. Korea's Kim Jong Il appears smiling at soccer game

North Korea appears intent on knocking down rumors that leader Kim Jong Il is gravely ill.

State television broadcast a picture of the strongman smiling at a soccer game saying that the hearts of females soldiers were "pounding" because of his presence.

Sydney Morning Herald

North Korea's Kim Jong Il is seen smiling at soccer game CNN International - 8 hours ago SEOUL, South Korea (CNN) -- North Korea has released a photograph of a smiling Kim Jong Il, the latest in an apparent attempt to dispel rumors that the reclusive leader is gravely ill. N. Korea releases photos of Kim Jong Il United Press International Kim Jong-il Hospitalized but at Helm, Japan Says New York Times

Thu Oct 23, 5:02 AM ET

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North Korean leader Kim Jong-il (2nd L) visits a military unit at an undisclosed location in North Korea in this recent picture distributed by North Korea's official news agency KCNA on October 11, 2008.

(KCNA/Reuters)

Kim Jong-Il appears at soccer game

North Korean leader Kim Jong-Il appeared in public for the first time after a reported stroke.

Media had reported variously that Kim was either dead or seriously ill in recent months. He attended a soccer game held to celebrate the anniversary of a North Korean university named after his father.

American negotiators are currently trying to lure North Korea back to talks on its nuclear program, which Pyongyang is in the process of restarting. Israel accused North Korea on Saturday of exporting weapons of mass destruction to the Middle East at a UN meeting on nuclear proliferation.

There is also concern that the recent warming of ties between Myanmar and North Korea might involve Pyongyang helping the former country rebuild its own nuclear program. Many analysts believe that Myanmar would like to join the nuke club for both military and prestige purposes.

National Post

Kim Jong-Il's Public Appearance
Sky News, UK - 1 hour ago
The game was held to mark the 62nd anniversary of the founding of the university named after his late father, North Korea founder Kim Il Sung. ...
Kim Jong Il Makes First Public Appearance Since Reported Stroke Bloomberg
Kim Jong-il Said to Appear in Public New York Times
North Korea’s Kim Jong-il Reportedly Makes Public Appearance

North Korea builds new ICBM site

Satellite imagery reveals that North Korea has built a new site capable of launching ballistic missiles with nuclear warheads.

Pongdong-ni's location was discovered by Janes Intelligence Group Photo: AP


The Pongdon-ni site is located in the hills near the China border and has a tower capable of supporting the Taepodong-2 intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) with a range of 6,000 miles.

Metro
North Korea builds secret launch site for ballistic missiles
Telegraph.co.uk, United Kingdom - Sep 11, 2008
North Korea has secretly built a launch site for ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear warheads, according to new satellite imagery. ...

North Korean leader may be ill

North Korean leader Kim Jong-Il has reportedly suffered a stroke or cerebral hemorrage but is still running the country according to South Korean intelligence sources.

Kim has not been seen in public recently and he apparently was set to appear at the Sept. 9 national anniversary but canceled probably due to inadequate recovery from surgery after the stroke. South Korean sources said that Chinese and French doctors have visited the country to treat Kim.

Pyongyang recently has started rebuilding its nuclear facilities after a deadlock in talks over verification procedures.

BBC News

NKorean leader suffered stroke: Seoul intelligence AFP - 1 hour ago SEOUL (AFP) - North Korean leader Kim Jong-Il has suffered a stroke but is still able to run the country and will recover, South Korea's intelligence agency told parliament Wednesday. Video: N. Korea's Kim Jong Il May Be Sick AssociatedPress Kim Jong Il had stroke, Seoul officials say International Herald Tribune