By 
Looking frail, North Korea leader Kim Jong Il appears before his nation's legislature and is unanimously reappointed to his post. Many believe he suffered a stroke last year.
There was pomp and circumstance, huge adoring crowds — not to mention one heck of a lot of choreographed propaganda.
A frail-looking Kim Jong Il, North Korea’s paternal “Dear Leader,” appeared Thursday before the newly elected Supreme People’s Assembly, which reappointed him as the nation’s reigning military chief.
The 67-year-old leader, who reportedly suffered a stroke last year, bringing rumors of a possible succession, has turned North Korea “into an invincible political and ideological, military and scientific and technological power,” trumpeted the government-controlled Korean Central News Agency.
A photograph released Wednesday by North Korea shows thousands of smiling celebrants in Pyongyang’s Kim Il Sung Square. Many are dressed in traditional Korean clothing. All are clapping in unison under a banner that reads “Hurray for Great Victory of Songun [Military First] Politics.” [LA Times]
It is the sad reality. No mistake...
7:35 am on April 10th, 2009 1
Notice how lopsided his mouth is. The left side droops in comparison to the right. Still photos of him prior to the alleged stroke do not show this assymetry. I'd love to hear him speak.
9:10 am on April 10th, 2009 2
Well, the "Deer Leedur" is looking well.
10:51 am on April 10th, 2009 3
He definitely looks worse then ever and Sonagi you are right about how lopsided his mouth is. I can only hope he doesn't hang around as long a Castro has.
11:01 am on April 10th, 2009 4
He is obviously paralized on his left side. Left hand not usable.
11:46 am on April 10th, 2009 5
I'm disappointed, I expected drool. Well, they say the second stroke is the best.