Kim Jong Il Appears in Public

Kim Jong Il appeared in public today for the first time since a suspected August stroke, looking older and frailer, the BBC reports. Kim got a standing ovation as he arrived for the opening session of North Korea’s rubber-stamp legislature, which appointed him to a third term as leader. The country also announced that it was revising its constitution, perhaps to clarify succession procedure.

“Having comrade Kim Jong Il at the highest post of our country again is a great honor and happiness,” said a state TV anchor. Kim has missed a variety of important public anniversaries and events since his rumored stroke. The 67-year-old’s health is a major concern in North Korea, since he has no obvious successor. (More Kim Jong Il stories.)