Kim Jong Il Still Unable to Hold Up a Current Newspaper

North Korea continues to want us to believe that Kim Jong Il is hale and healthy, and a surprising number of journalists continue to report the KCNA’s uncorroborated claims of his public appearances as “evidence” of his recovery:

“When he appeared in the auditorium the audience broke into the stormy cheers of ‘Hurrah!’ and extended the warmest lunar New Year greetings to him,” KCNA said.

While state media reported his appearance, they did not release any photos or footage of the leader at the ceremonies.

Kim waved to the performers and audience when the show was over, KCNA said. The report did not say when the concert took place; Monday was the first day of the new lunar year.

The public appearance is the latest indication Kim, who turns 67 next month, has regained his health and remains in control of the Stalinist nation of 23 million. [AP]

If the North Koreans really want the more skeptical among us to believe that His Porcine Majesty has “regained his health,” why don’t they release recent video of him walking, or audio of him speaking about current events? So far, I’ve seen convincing evidence that Kim, who turns 67 next month, can sit upright. That seems to be setting a low bar for someone who sits at the pinnacle of the world’s most perilous palace intrigue.