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          North Korean Leader Reappears in State Media Clutching Cane

   by VOA News

   North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has made his first public appearance in
   more than 40 days, resurfacing in state media photos carrying a cane.

   The official Korean Central News Agency said Tuesday Kim visited a
   residential district and a science institute where he gave "field
   guidance," a regular routine for the young leader.

   KCNA, along with the country's main newspaper, the Rodong Sinmun,
   published several photos of a smiling Kim leaning on a black cane,
   which he held in his left hand.

   The reports did not say when the photos were taken. They also did not
   mention Kim's prolonged absence or explain why he was carrying the
   cane.

   The disappearance of Kim, regarded by many North Koreans as a near
   divine figure, prompted global speculation he was suffering a serious
   health or political problem.

   Lim Jae-chun, a North Korean studies professor at Korea University,
   told VOA that Pyongyang may have released the photos in response to the
   rumors.

   "I think the photographs are useful to eliminate the speculation that
   he might have lost his power or died. With regards to the speculation
   about his health problem, it has been proved that he clearly has a
   problem with his health. But it is not extremely serious," said Lim.

   The North Korean leader, believed to be 31 years of age, succeeded his
   father Kim Jong Il in 2011. He had last been seen September 3 at a
   concert by his favorite pop group, the Moranbong Band, a group
   consisting of five young women, all hand-picked by Kim.

   He then missed several high-profile political events, including a
   meeting of the country's ceremonial parliament in late September and
   last Friday's anniversary of the ruling Korean Worker's Party.

   Two months earlier, the portly Kim was seen awkwardly limping across a
   stage at a ceremony marking the 20th anniversary of the death of his
   grandfather, the country's founding president, Kim Il Sung.

   A short time later, a North Korean state television documentary
   mentioned in passing that Kim was experiencing unspecified
   "discomfort."

   South Korean officials have insisted they have no information
   indicating any serious political or health problems for the leader, who
   is thought to be a heavy smoker and suffer from gout.
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References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/north-korean-leader-reappears-in-state-media-clutching-cane/2482961.html