North Korea’s state media have released a flurry of reports of appearances by the reclusive Kim Jong-il.

North Korea’s state media have released a flurry of reports of appearances by the reclusive Kim Jong-il.

The North Korean state-run news media released photos showing its leader smiling and looking vivacious, some two months after he was believed to have suffered a stroke.

Kim Jong-il, North Korea’s leader, is probably hospitalized but still capable of making decisions, Japan’s prime minister, Taro Aso, said Tuesday.

Kim Jong-il, North Korea’s leader, is probably hospitalized but still capable of making decisions, Japan’s prime minister, Taro Aso, said Tuesday.

Kim Jong-il, North Korea’s leader, is probably hospitalized but still capable of making decisions, Japan’s prime minister, Taro Aso, said Tuesday.

The disclosure of the defection came on the same day that the Communist North’s military threatened to launch a pre-emptive strike at South Korea.

A girl whose family fled North Korea is breathing new life into boxing by winning a world championship at age 17.

For South Koreans, boxing is mainly a sport of the past. Now, a girl whose family fled North Korea is breathing new life into the sport by winning a world championship at age 17.

For South Koreans, boxing is mainly a sport of the past. Now, a girl whose family fled North Korea is breathing new life into the sport by winning a world championship at age 17.