DPRK leader makes public appearances

Source: Agencies  |   2008-11-7  |     NEWSPAPER EDITION

KIM Jong Il attended a classical concert, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea's state-run news agency said yesterday in its third report in less than a week on the public appearances of the leader.

The Pyongyang's state media never provides exact dates when reporting on Kim's public activities.

Pyongyang appears to be trying to show Washington Kim is in firm control of the nation after the United States election as questions continue to be asked about his condition, one analyst said. "I think this is a message to the United States," said Yang Moo-jin, a professor at Seoul's University of North Korean Studies.

"The message appears to be: 'I make decisions on relations with the United States, the nuclear standoff and everything. I'm in control and ready to have talks with' President-elect Barack Obama."

The Republic of Korea's Unification Ministry spokesman Kim Ho-nyeon said the recent frequency of the DPRK's reports on Kim's public appearances was not unusual, as its state media had usually carried such reports every two or three days in the past.

He declined to comment on the DPRK leader's health or whether Pyongyang's release of a series of reports on his public activities was related to the US presidential election.

Yesterday's report on Kim's attendance at an orchestra and chorus performance did not include any photos.

But the Korean Central News Agency said Kim viewed the performance along with aides and army soldiers and "waved back to the cheering performers and audience and congratulated them on their successful presentation."

The report followed two reports with pictures of visits said to have taken place this week to a military unit and a football match between two army teams.