N. Korea: Kim Jong Il makes troop visit

SEOUL, Oct. 11 (UPI) -- Reclusive North Korea leader Kim Jong Il has made an appearance to inspect frontline army units, the country's state-run media said.

Kim, whose health has been the subject of intense speculation, has been conspicuous by his absence at important occasions since mid-August. But photos broadcast repeatedly by the North's Korean Central TV purported to show Kim, 66, mingling with troops in an artillery unit, Yonhap, the South Korean news agency, reported Saturday.

South Korean intelligence officials say Kim is recovering from a stroke after undergoing brain surgery, while Pyongyang has vehemently denied the assertions.

North Korean television showed a series of 10 still photographs that appeared to show Kim talking with soldiers, clapping and observing a firing drill in his familiar dark sunglasses and olive green jumper. No video or film of Kim Jong Il has been released since Aug. 15.

Yonhap said North Korea's radio stations -- Radio Pyongyang and the Korean Central Broadcasting Station -- have been repeatedly airing the report.