Another public outing by North Korean leader Kim Jong Eun after he reemerged from a 40-day disappearance has reaffirmed he is well in charge of the country.
Kim made his appearance to commend North Korean athletes and the coaches for their performance at the recent Incheon Asian Games held in South Korea, Pyongyang’s state-run Party paper Rodong Sinmun reported on Sunday.
He was accompanied by his wife, Ri Sol Ju, who had also been hidden from public sight since their last joint appearance on September 3rd to watch a concert by the Moranbong Band.
The newspaper published images of Kim with his cane, shaking hands with the athletes one by one. When taking photographs with them arm in arm, the leader did not use his walking stick.
Kim praised the teams for their achievements saying, “The spectacular results achieved recently are great victories won by waging struggles to protect the high dignity of the Korean people.”
He especially made note of the mixed doubles table tennis team, whom he said “fought well until the very end.” The leader also promised to meet with one of the ping pong gold medalists Kim Jong, who was unable to attend due to another international competition.
Also at the event were Hwang Pyong So, director of the General Political Department of the Korean People’s Army; Choe Ryong Hae, secretary of the Workers’ Party; O Il Jong, head of the Civil Defense Department of the Central Committee; Han Kwang Sang, head of the Finance and Accounting Department; Park Myong Chol, head of the Central Court; Kim Yong Hun, Minister of Physical Culture and Sports; O Kum Chol, vice chief of the KPA General Staff; and Ri Jong Mu.
The paper also reported that for the first time since returning to public sight, Kim made an onsite visit to a military base. Kim Jong Eun visited KPA Air and Anti-Air Force Units 1017 and 458, where he provided guidance for take-off and landing exercises for fighter pilots, according to Rodong Sinmun.
The paper published images of Kim with a big smile, holding his cane, on the first page at the site, where he was accompanied by Hwang Pyong So and Choe Ryong Hae. However, it did not disclose the exact date of the visit.
Kim remarked on the pilots’ impressive flight skills, stating, “The territorial air of the country should be protected irrespective of weather and time and a modern warfare is conducted under the worst conditions,” emphasizing the importance of being ready to adapt to changing conditions.
It is the first time North Korean state media reported on Kim’s field guidance at a military site since August 30th, when he took pictures with soldiers at parachute troop Units 323, and 162 that had concluded live exercises.
With his visit to the Wisong Scientists Residential District on the 14th, bringing him back into the public eye, followed by field guidance to apartments for educators of Kim Chaek University of Technology on the 17th, and his two outings on reported on the 19th, rumors speculating on his potential health conditions are unlikely to further spread.
