Arrow-right Camera
The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

North Korea’s Leader Showing Up In Public

Compiled From Wire Services

North Korea’s reclusive leader is stepping up his public activities.

Kim Jong Il visited front-line soldiers for a second time this week, the Communist country’s official news agency said Saturday.

Kim, 54, observed South Korea border positions from atop a command post in the central sector on Wednesday, the Korea Central News Agency reported. He also spoke with soldiers and joined them for a meal of field rations, it said.

Although seldom seen in the past, Kim has made a flurry of public appearances reported by official media and broadcast abroad, increasing speculation that he will soon succeed his father, the late Kim Il Sung.