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N. Korean media reports leader's appearance for 2nd day in a row
 (Kyodo)--North Korean media said Thursday the country's leader Kim Jong Il watched a music performance, reporting his public appearance for the second day in a row. The Korean Central News Agency said in a report dated Wednesday but moved early Thursday that Kim attended the event together with senior officials of the ruling Workers' Party of Korea and the Korean People's Army. There was no mention of the date or place of the event. The report came a day after the country's media released a series of pictures of Kim inspecting two military units, and marked the fifth report of his public appearance since the surfacing in September of foreign reports that he may have suffered a stroke. Performers from different national art troupes put on the event, Thursday's KCNA report said. "At the end of the performance he waved back to the cheering performers and audience and congratulated them on their successful presentation," KCNA said of the leader. In the audience together with the leader were senior officials including Choe Thae Bok and Kim Ki Nam, secretaries of the ruling party's Central Committee, the KCNA report said. Jang Song Thaek, a department director at the party and Kim's brother- in-law, was also there, the news agency said. Generals of the North Korean military Hyon Chol Hae and Ri Myong Su, who were also reported to have accompanied Kim in the inspection of military units, also attended, the report said. Speculation surrounding Kim's health intensified after the leader stayed away from celebrations for the 60th anniversary of the country's founding on Sept. 9. North Korea has denied suggestions he has suffered a health setback. Posted by: Fred 2008-11-06 |
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