Kim Jong Il back in front of the cameras

Posted By James Downie Wednesday, July 8, 2009 - 1:40 PM Share

Kim Jong Il's recent decline in health has led him to scale down his public appearances. But the North Korean dictator did move back into the spotlight yesterday, appearing to commemorate the 15th anniversary of his father's death. Video from Russia Today:

The BBC reports:

Observers said he looked gaunt and limped slightly while entering the crammed auditorium where the ceremony was held in the capital Pyongyang.
It was the second major state event the 67-year-old has attended since suffering a suspected stroke in August.
His poor health has led to concerns of a power struggle if he dies suddenly[...]
Wearing a khaki suit, Mr Kim bowed his head during a moment of silence, beneath a portrait of a giant red flag with an image of his father, Kim Il-sung.
The North's deputy leader, Kim Yong Nam, issued the regime's by now familiar denunciation of the United States and South Korea.

Read more from FP about Kim Jong-Il's possible successors here, here, and here.

EXPLORE:EAST ASIA, NORTH KOREA

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