N.Korea Releases Footage of Kim Jong-il Using Left Hand

Chosun Ilbo ^ | 12/31/10

[TigerLikesRooster]

N.Korea Releases Footage of Kim Jong-il Using Left Hand

North Korean leader Kim Jong-il has been spotted using his left hand fairly adeptly, suggesting that he is recovering from paralysis following a massive stroke in 2008. Some observers believe North Korean media deliberately showed footage of Kim using the hand to quash rumors that his days are numbered.

In a documentary broadcast Wednesday by the North's state-run Korean Central Television, Kim repeatedly uses both hands to open and close a closet door in a newly-built apartment for artists on the banks of the Daedong River in Pyongyang. The footage was purportedly shot on Oct. 8.

North Korean leader Kim Jong-il opens a closet door with his left hand in this footage broadcast by [North] Korean Central TV on Wednesday. /KCTV-Yonhap North Korean leader Kim Jong-il opens a closet door with his left hand in this footage broadcast by [North] Korean Central TV on Wednesday. /KCTV-Yonhap

"Use of the hands is the most intricate level of movement, so Kim using his hands freely signifies marked improvements from the side effects of a stroke," a physiotherapist said. "But it's uncertain whether brain and other functions have recovered completely." A North Korean source said even during the military parade on Oct. 10 marking the 65th anniversary of the Workers' Party, Kim Jong-il could barely walk and had to rely on railings to stay upright. It seems implausible that he had recovered completely from the stroke in footage shot two days before the parade."

And a Unification Ministry said, "Why did North Korea release two-month-old footage showing Kim Jong-il specifically using his left hand? North Korea appears to be sending the message that its leader is in good health after South Korea and other governments raised the possibility of sudden changes happening in the North due to Kim's deteriorating health."

Kim suffered a stroke to the right side of his brain in August of 2008 and underwent intensive treatment. In footage shown by North Korea's state-run media, Kim limps with his left foot, while dragging his left arm, which is often seen dangling or tucked inside a coat pocket. He also applauds by placing his left arm on his knee and hitting it with his right hand.

[delapaz]

Or... it’s his double.

[TigerLikesRooster]

P!

[StormEye]

Kim picks his nose with his left hand!
Dear Leader is back — tougher than ever!
Film at eleven.

[SpaceBar]

Did he put the seat back down when he was finished?

[MarkLevinFan]

Looks like he's using he right hand. ;-)

[JPG]

I'm jealous of the Norks, they have such riveting TV. I've heard that tomorrow night will feature Kim showing the proper way to prepare grass soup. Coming soon is another blockbuster, “Comrade, don't throw those old shoes away, think dinner.”

[reagan_fanatic]

If I were Kim, I'd be a little less concerned about the here and now and a little more concerned about the hereafter.

[COBOL2Java]

It looks like a sliding mirror door, and I would think that he's closing the door, not opening it. If he was opening it, his thumb would be closed over the door handle, whereas if he's closing it, all he needs to do is use the knuckles of his four fingers. Also, as someone else had mentioned, this could be a reversed photo and it's really his right hand...

[seowulf]

N.Korea Releases Footage of Kim Jong-il Using Left Hand

Ewwww!

Why would they film something like that?

[razorback-bert]

There is a moose-limb joke in this, but I am not going there.

[ops33]

Exactly what I thought.