SEOUL (AFP) — North Korean leader Kim Jong Il, believed to have suffered a debilitating stroke earlier this year, has visited Pyongyang zoo to give advice on its reconstruction plans, state media reported Tuesday.
The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said Kim "gave on-the-spot guidance to the Central Zoo" during a tour in which he visited the park's aquarium as well as its tiger and bear enclosures.
The report of the undated visit appeared to be the latest attempt by Pyongyang to dispel rumours that Kim has been partially paralysed by a stroke.
The reclusive regime on Monday released the latest in a series of pictures of the 66-year-old leader, including one showing him clapping.
State television said the still pictures were of Kim inspecting an air force unit at an unspecified date. One showed him in a thick winter coat, clapping his gloved hands at head height.
There have been widespread reports that Kim suffered a stroke around mid-August, although South Korean officials have said he was recovering well.
Some unconfirmed reports said he may have suffered partial paralysis.
Kim's health has been the subject of intense speculation because he has not publicly nominated a successor to run the nuclear-armed nation.
State media in recent weeks have issued a series of still pictures in an apparent attempt to end the health speculation. All of them have been undated.
One photo issued early last month had been digitally altered to superimpose Kim's image onto a military group, experts said.
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