Posted on 08/13/2006 8:06:28 PM PDT by NormsRevenge
SEOUL, South Korea - North Korean leader Kim Jong Il has made his first public appearance since his country test-launched a barrage of missiles more than a month ago, official media reported Sunday.
Kim visited a farm run by an army unit and was accompanied by top generals, according to the state-run Korean Central News Agency. As usual with such reports, the exact time or location of the trip were not given.
Kim's last reported public appearance was July 4, a day before Pyongyang launched seven missiles, including a new long-range model believed capable of reaching the U.S. that failed shortly after takeoff. The move violated the country's self-imposed moratorium on long-range missile launches.
The launches prompted the U.N. Security Council to unanimously pass a resolution sanctioning the North, which Pyongyang has rejected as an infringement on its sovereign right to conduct missile launches.
Since North Korea test-launched the shorter-range Taepodong-1 rocket over Japan in 1998, Pyonyang's missile program has been regarded as a major security issue in Northeast Asia, adding to concerns about the hardline regime's pursuit of nuclear bombs.
Kim's absence from public view had fueled speculation of a possible crisis in the country in the wake of the missile tests and international reaction.
However, Kim has dropped from sight before for longer periods of time: In 2003, he was not reported to have ventured out for seven weeks after the country quit the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty and the United States moved toward invading Iraq.
In the latest visit, Kim toured a rabbit and goat farm producing food for the military — the focus of his "songun", or "military-first," policy that gives soldiers first priority for the country's scarce resources.
"As our country has many mountains, it is possible to raise goats and rabbits and other grass-eating animals in every part of it," Kim said, according to KCNA.
As many as 2 million people are believed to have died in famine caused by natural disasters and mismanagement in impoverished country during the 1990s. Floods that struck the country in mid-July have raised concerns about new threats to its food supply, and left a reported 844 dead and missing.
North Korean leader Kim Jong-il (2nd L) in an undated photo released by Korea News Service April 8, 2006. The king of the summer movie box office is none other than North Korea's dear leader, or at least that is what the communist state's official media has been saying this week. REUTERS/Korea News Service
U.S. Senator Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania speaks to journalists at a press conference in Beijing Friday Aug. 11, 2006. Specter is one of 9 U.S. senators who are meeting Chinese leaders as part of the Interparliamentary Group, an official dialogue mechanism between the U.S. Senate and the Chinese parliament. Specter said the group urged China to pressure North Korea to return to six-party nuclear talks. (AP Photo/Greg Baker)
U.S. Senator Ted Stevens of Alaska, second left, makes a point at a press conference in Beijing Friday Aug. 11, 2006. With him are Senator Thad Cochrane of Minnesota, left, and Senators Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania, second right, and Senator Mark Dayton of Mississippi. Nine U.S. senators are meeting Chinese leaders as part of the Interparliamentary Group, an official dialogue mechanism between the U.S. Senate and the Chinese parliament. The group said they urged China to pressure North Korea to return to six-party nuclear talks. (AP Photo/Greg Baker)
is that soldier holding him up? Is this another weekend at Bernies moment?
My Chinese friend got the Kim Jong-il hairdo last year. I tried not to but I couldn't help laughing, then I yelled at him for a while and demanded to know who had done that to him. He was kind of offended and said it's the popular style these days and his wife had cut it. Well, I had a few choice words for her next time we met!
Somebody needs to photoshop him with Fidel.
"Report: N. Korea leader finally appears"
Since he finally popped outta his hole, does this mean we'll have 6 more weeks of attempted nuclear winter?.....:)
The ultimate ZOT!.....;]
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