THE TEHEGRAPH: The health of North Korean leader Kim Jong-Il is not worsening, according to South Korean official, but a Tokyo professor has meanwhile asserted that Kim died in any case in 2003.
Speculation has recently grown again that Kim, who is 66 and has not been seen in public for more than three weeks, is unwell. Some media have long thought that Kim, a former smoker and heavy drinker, was ill but Seoul intelligence officials say they believe he has diabetes and heart problems, but those are not serious enough to affect his job.
But a book by Japan's Professor Toshimitsu Shigemura at Japan's respected Waseda University says Kim died in the autumn of 2003 and a series of stand-ins have since taken his place at official state event.
Prof Shigemura says Kim was not seen in public for the 42 days after September 10, 2003, and in his book "The True Character of Kim Jong Il" claims the man that North Koreans refer to as the "Dear Leader" died of diabetes. Kim Jong-Il 'Died in 2003', Says Japanese Professor >>> By Julian Ryall in Tokyo | September 7, 2008
BBC:
N Korea’s Kim Missing from Parade: There is growing speculation about the health of North Korean leader Kim Jong-il, 66, after he failed to attend a huge martial parade in Pyongyang.
The military ranks marking the nation's 60th anniversary were instead overseen by North Korea's second most senior figure, Kim Yong-nam.
Rumours were already rife about the well being of the North Korean leader.
Reports quoting Western intelligence sources said on Tuesday it was possible Mr Kim had suffered a stroke. >>> | September 9, 2008
INTERNATIONAL HERALD TRIBUNE:
North Korea Leader Is Seriously Ill, U.S. Official Says >>>
By Mark Mazzetti and Choe Sang-Hun | September 9, 2008
LE FIGARO:
Kim Jong-Il aurait eu une attaque cérébrale >>> C.M. (lefigaro.fr) avec AFP | 09.09.2008
LE MONDE:
La Corée du Nord fête ses 60 ans sans son "cher leader" >>> LEMONDE.FR avec AFP | 09.09.08
BERLINER ZEITUNG:
Nordkorea wird 60 - Gerüchte über Kim Jong Il >>> | 09.09.2008
LE FIGARO:
Pyongyang dément la maladie de Kim Jong-Il >>> C.M. et C.J. (lefigaro.fr) avec AFP | 10.09.2008
The Dawning of a New Dark Age (Paperback – USA)
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