Kim Jong-il starts wearing sneakers

North Korean leader Kim Jong-il, who reportedly suffered a stroke last summer, was recently shown wearing sneakers instead of his trademark lifts, indicating that his health may be deteriorating.

In photographs released by state media on May 24, a day before Pyongyang conducted its second nuclear test, Kim, 67, is sporting a pair of dark sneakers, along with a gray parka, suit pants and dark sunglasses.



He was giving "field guidance" at a historic site in Yeonsa, North Hamgyeong Province, in the northern region.

A rubber sole was attached to the shoes to enhance comfort.

Kim was wearing sneakers in another photo released on June 14, of him inspecting an infantry unit.

Kim - 162 centimeters tall, about 5`3" - has worn height-boosting shoes at official events, including his summit with the late South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun in 2007. But the platform shoes were switched to flat dress shoes after he reportedly suffered a stroke in August last year.

The flat shoes have now been replaced by sneakers, as shown in pictures released in recent weeks. But some pictures, like those released on June 5, 6 and 8, still show Kim in flat dress shoes during visits to farms and factories that can be easily acessed on foot.

(sophie@heraldm.com)



By Kim So-hyun