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May 7, 2010
Where's Kim mystery clears
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Mr Kim was shown for several minutes on Chinese TV in talks - apparently taped earlier in the week - with Mr Hu and Premier Wen Jiabao, who chatted cheerfully to the expressionless North Korean leader. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
View more photos http://www.straitstimes.com/STI/STIMEDIA/image/20100507/kim1.afp.jpghttp://www.straitstimes.com/STI/STIMEDIA/image/20100507/kim2.reuters.jpg
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BEIJING - CHINESE state television on Friday broadcast rare footage of North Korean leader Kim Jong-Il, clearing up days of mystery over the reclusive ruler's highly secretive visit to his nation's closest ally.
Looking tired and elderly, the 68-year-old leader was shown meeting with Chinese President Hu Jintao this week during a trip which fuelled speculation that negotiations on ending his country's nuclear programme could soon resume.
Mr Kim's trip to China on his luxurious armoured personal train - he is said to dislike flying - began on Monday, prompting a guessing game by foreign news media attempting to follow the progress of a trip kept under tight wraps.
Finally on Friday, Mr Kim was shown for several minutes on Chinese TV in talks - apparently taped earlier in the week - with Mr Hu and Premier Wen Jiabao, who chatted cheerfully to the expressionless North Korean leader.
Mr Kim was later shown smiling as he shook hands with other top officials in some of the lengthiest footage in years of the diminutive 'Dear Leader'.
The North Korean leader is said to have suffered a stroke in mid-2008, prompting intense speculation about his succession, and Friday's footage appeared likely to back claims that his health had declined.
Wearing his trademark zipped-up khaki tunic with matching pants, Mr Kim looked wan and every bit his 68 years. His hair appeared to be thinning and he showed little sign of physical vigour.
In line with previous highly choreographed visits, China's communist rulers had kept this trip under wraps even though Mr Kim stopped in the northeastern port cities of Dalian and Tianjin before reaching Beijing. -- AFP
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Where's Kim mystery clears
<!-- by line --><!-- end by line -->
<!-- end left side bar -->
<!-- story content : start -->
BEIJING - CHINESE state television on Friday broadcast rare footage of North Korean leader Kim Jong-Il, clearing up days of mystery over the reclusive ruler's highly secretive visit to his nation's closest ally.
Looking tired and elderly, the 68-year-old leader was shown meeting with Chinese President Hu Jintao this week during a trip which fuelled speculation that negotiations on ending his country's nuclear programme could soon resume.
Mr Kim's trip to China on his luxurious armoured personal train - he is said to dislike flying - began on Monday, prompting a guessing game by foreign news media attempting to follow the progress of a trip kept under tight wraps.
Finally on Friday, Mr Kim was shown for several minutes on Chinese TV in talks - apparently taped earlier in the week - with Mr Hu and Premier Wen Jiabao, who chatted cheerfully to the expressionless North Korean leader.
Mr Kim was later shown smiling as he shook hands with other top officials in some of the lengthiest footage in years of the diminutive 'Dear Leader'.
The North Korean leader is said to have suffered a stroke in mid-2008, prompting intense speculation about his succession, and Friday's footage appeared likely to back claims that his health had declined.
Wearing his trademark zipped-up khaki tunic with matching pants, Mr Kim looked wan and every bit his 68 years. His hair appeared to be thinning and he showed little sign of physical vigour.
In line with previous highly choreographed visits, China's communist rulers had kept this trip under wraps even though Mr Kim stopped in the northeastern port cities of Dalian and Tianjin before reaching Beijing. -- AFP
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