Korean leader makes first appearance since illness

North Korean leader Kim Jong-il made his first public appearance since reports surfaced last month that he may have suffered …

North Korean leader Kim Jong-il made his first public appearance since reports surfaced last month that he may have suffered a stroke, according to a state news report today.

The North's official media said Kim saw a soccer match. It has been about 50 days since North Korea's official media noted Kim appearing in public.

US and South Korean last month said Kim may have suffered a stroke in August, raising question about succession in the Asia's only communist dynasty and who was making decisions about its nuclear weapons programme.

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