|
 Several pictures on the front page of the Rodong Sinmun newspaper
showed Kim smiling and gesturing on a visit to a housing
development, although there was no indication which day the event
took place. He was surrounded by aides and wearing his signature
dark buttoned suit, and appeared to be supporting himself with a
black walking stick.
There have been no official reports on the 31-year-old Kim appearing
in public since he attended a concert with his wife on Sept. 3. He
missed an important political anniversary on Friday as well as a
recent session of the country's parliament.
A story in the official KCNA news agency on two public appearances
by Kim was dated Tuesday but also did not specify on which day he
made the visits. It also did not mention Kim's health or lengthy
absence from public view.
Reuters could not independently verify the reports.
The KCNA report, which was typical of its chronicling of Kim's
activities, said he "gave field guidance" to the new Wisong
Scientists Residential District and visited the newly built Natural
Energy Institute of the State Academy of Sciences.
"Our scientists are patriots who are devoting all their lives to
building a rich and powerful nation," Kim was quoted as saying.
In still pictures broadcast by state TV, Kim was often shown seated,
once with a cigarette in his hand, while his aides stood. He was
also shown in a green multi-seat golf cart, along with several
members of his entourage.
The reports of Kim's activities may be aimed at dispelling rumors
outside the country and to ease any concern inside the North and its
military following an exchange of gunfire on Friday between North
and South Korea, an analyst said.
"He's the military leader, and there was military action a few days
ago," said An Chan-il, who served in the North's army as a junior
officer before defecting to the South in 1979, and now heads a
private think tank on North Korea in Seoul.
"There was likely concern inside the North's military as well as
among the public," which would be eased by Kim's reappearance, he
said.
DELICATE STAGE
Relations between the two Koreas, technically in a state of war
since the early 1950s, are at a delicate stage.
A high-level delegation from Pyongyang made a surprise visit to the
South early this month for the closing of the Asian Games. That led
to an agreement to hold further talks by early November, heralding a
potential breakthrough in ties that have been frozen since 2010,
when the South accused the North of torpedoing a navy ship, which
Pyongyang denies.
[to top of second column] |
However, on Friday, North Korea fired shots at balloons carrying
leaflets sent towards the North by South Korean activists critical
of the North's leadership, and the South fired back. On Monday,
the South warned of a "strong" response if the North provoked a
similar incident, although South Korean President Park Geun-hye also
reiterated her commitment to engage with the North.
SECRETIVE REGIME
North Korean officials had denied that Kim was in ill-health.
Officials in both the United States and South Korea had said
recently that there were no indications Kim was in political
trouble.
A source with access to the North's leadership told Reuters on
Thursday that Kim was in firm control of the country but had hurt
his leg taking part in a military drill.
Kim, who has visibly gained weight since coming to power after his
father died of a heart attack in 2011, had been seen walking with a
limp since an event with officials in July.
Speculation that Kim's unusually long absence from public view may
be due to ill health was fueled by a North Korean television report
late last month that said he was suffering from "discomfort".
Some North Korea watchers had also suggested that Kim may have been
sidelined in a power struggle.
Kim's father, Kim Jong Il, also sometimes disappeared from public
view when he led the hereditary dictatorship.
The younger Kim's prolonged absence from state media coverage was
not the first. In June 2012, six months after coming to power, state
media did not report on or photograph him for 23 days. He reappeared
the next month, at a dolphinarium.
(Additional reporting by Ju-min Park, Sohee Kim and James Pearson;
Editing by Raju Gopalakrishnan)
[© 2014 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.] Copyright 2014 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
 |
