Kim Jong Il Back in Public to Watch Game

North Korea’s state news agency reported a public appearance by reclusive leader Kim Jong Il for the first time in nearly two months, an absence that prompted speculation he was seriously ill. Kim watched a university soccer game, the state-run Korean Central News Agency reported Saturday. It did not say anything about his health condition.

– The Associated Press

his health

The 66-year-old leader had not been seen in public since mid- August. U.S. and South Korean officials said last month that Kim suffered a stroke and underwent brain surgery, but North Korea has denied he was ill.

absent since August

KCNA’s last mention of Kim making a public appearance was on Aug. 14 – around the time North Korea stopped disabling its Yongbyon nuclear plant and began reassembling the facility in violation of a disarmament-for-aid pact.

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