N. Korea releases photos of Kim Jong Il

'Summer landscape'
"Grass and trees in the photos show the typical sight of a summer landscape, though it is time that autumn leaves are visible in North Korea," the daily Kukmin Ilbo said.

The paper also said South Korean intelligence had seen no unusual movements where the military unit Kim reportedly visited is located, as would be expected had he visited.

South Korean officials declined to comment on the photos.

"We're keeping a close watch on Chairman Kim Jong Il's activity," said Kim Ho-nyeon of the Unification Ministry in charge of monitoring the North.

Hong Hyun-ik, a North Korea analyst at the security think tank Sejong Institute, said he also believes the latest pictures must have been taken earlier, because they were "too green" in the background and Kim appeared "too healthy."

Still, the North's release of the pictures should not be taken as evidence that Kim's health has deteriorated, he said.

"Kim Jong Il cannot appear in public unless he is in perfect shape," the analyst said. "I think North Korea released the pictures to show its people that their supreme leader is up and going, as the regime prepares to use its removal from the U.S. terrorism list as propaganda for the leader."

Kim, the Dongguk University professor, said the images appeared to be intended not only for the North Korean people, but for U.S. audiences.

"Would the United States have removed North Korea from the terrorism list if Kim Jong Il's health is serious?" he asked rhetorically. "I think the North must have felt the need to put an end to speculation about his health ahead of its removal from the terror list."

The analyst said he believes Kim is on the road to recovery and is likely to make an appearance in the near future in a way that would leave no question about his health, such as meetings with foreign diplomats.

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