Kim Jong Il

 

The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), North Korea's state-run (and only) news agency, sporadically releases photos of reclusive 69-year-old leader Kim Jong-il as he makes "on-the-spot" guidance visits. Kim Jong-il, continuing a practice begun by his father, Kim Il-sung, makes these visits to factories and facilities throughout the country, purportedly to offer his personal guidance. Followed by army officers, security personnel and plant managers - most carrying pencils and notepads to record the guidance of "Dear Leader" - he examines, listens, gives a talk, poses, then moves on, entourage in tow. When viewing the photos below, keep in mind that the KCNA is a state-run operation, most of the photos are undated, no photographers are credited, and independent verification of circumstances is nearly impossible. Collected here are a few recent photos released by the KCNA of Kim Jong-il giving "on-the-spot" field guidance. (31 photos total)

In this undated photo released by Korean Central News Agency via Korea News Service in Tokyo Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2010, North Korean leader Kim Jong-il visits the September General Iron Enterprise in North Phyongan Province, North Korea. (AP Photo/Korean Central News Agency via Korea News Service)

2

Kim Jong-il backed by officers visits the July 18 Cattle Farm in an undisclosed location in North Korea. Photo released on November 20, 2009. (KNS/AFP/Getty Images) #

3

Kim Jong-il at the Pyongyang flour-processing combine in Pyongyang. North Korea. Photo released on January 24, 2010. (KNS/AFP/Getty Images) #

4

Kim Jong-il holds a bucket during his visit to the Kangdong Light Electrical Appliance Factory in Pyongyang. Photo released on January 11, 2010. (REUTERS/KCNA) #

5

Kim Jong-il examines part of the Rakwon Machine Complex in North Pyongan province. Photo released January 26, 2010. (REUTERS/KCNA) #

6

Kim Jong-il looks around a library as he visits the command of the Korean People's Army (KPA) Large Combined Unit 630 in an undisclosed place in North Korea. Photo released on February 1, 2010. (REUTERS/KCNA) #

7

Kim Jong-il inspects a cotton farm of the Korean People's Army's 1596 unit in an undisclosed place in North Korea. Photo released on November 29, 2009. (REUTERS/KCNA) #

8

Kim Jong-il looks at produce displayed on shelves at a newly built shop at an undisclosed place in North Korea. Photo released on August 17, 2009. (REUTERS/KCNA ) #

9

Kim Jong-il inspects part of the Hungnam Taehung Fishery Enterprise in South Hamgyong province in North Korea. Photo released on January 21, 2010. (KNS/AFP/Getty Images) #

10

Kim Jong-il visits Huichon Ceramic Factory in Huichon, Jagang Province, northeast of Pyongyang. Photo released on March 11, 2010. (REUTERS/KCNA) #

11

Kim Jong-il visits Ryongsong Foodstuff Factory in Pyongyang. Photo released on January 24, 2010. (REUTERS/KCNA) #

12

Kim Jong-il visits Kim Chaek Iron and Steel Complex in Chongjin, north Hamgyong province. Photo released on March 5, 2010. (REUTERS/KCNA) #

13

Kim Jong-il inspects pork products at the October 7 Pig Farm under Korean People's Army Unit 534 at undisclosed place in North Korea. Photo released on January 16, 2010. (KNS/AFP/Getty Images) #

14

Kim Jong-il inspects the Hwanghae Iron and Steel complex in Hwanghae province in North Korea. Photo released on February 21, 2010. (KNS/AFP/Getty Images) #

15

Kim Jong-il visits Kim Chaek Iron and Steel Complex in Chongjin, north Hamgyong province. Photo released on March 5, 2010. (REUTERS/KCNA) #

16

Kim Jong-il visits a textile mill in Pyongyang. Photo released on July 31, 2009. (KNS/AFP/Getty Images) #

17

Kim Jong-il visits the Wonpyong Taehung Fishery Station in Kumya county in South Hamgyong province. Photo released on February 3, 2010. (REUTERS/KCNA) #

18

Kim Jong-il inspects the Pyongyang Cornstarch Factory in Pyongyang. Photo released on December 13, 2009. (KNS/AFP/Getty Images) #

19

Kim Jong-il visits the February 8 Vinalon Complex in Hamheung, northeast of Pyongyang. Photo released on February 10, 2010. (REUTERS/KCNA) #

20

Kim Jong-il visits the Sinuiju Footwear Factory in Sinuiju, northwest of Pyongyang. Photo released on November 25, 2009. (REUTERS/KCNA) #

21

Kim Jong-il visits the Pyongyang Textile Factory in Pyongyang. Photo released on July 31, 2009. (REUTERS/KCNA) #

22

Kim Jong-il visits the Wonpyong Taehung Fishery Station in Kumya county in South Hamgyong province. Photo released on February 3, 2010. (REUTERS/KCNA) #

23

Kim Jong-il visits a factory in Pyongyang. Photo released on September 29, 2009. (REUTERS/KCNA) #

24

Kim Jong-il inspects the Oguk Co-op Farm in Anak County in South Hwanghae province. Photo released on November 28, 2009. (KNS/AFP/Getty Images) #

25

Kim Jong-il inspects the newly-built Kanggye farm at Chagang province. Photo released on December 11, 2009. (KNS/AFP/Getty Images) #

26

Kim Jong-il poses for a group photo with workers during an inspection of the Hwanghae Iron and Steel complex in Hwanghae province in North Korea. Photo released on February 21, 2010. (KNS/AFP/Getty Images) #

27

Kim Jong-Il visits the newly-built Pothonggang Shop in Pyongyang. Photo released on August 17, 2009. (KNS/AFP/Getty Images) #

28

Kim Jong-il during an inspection of the Rakwon Machine Complex in North Pyongan province in North Korea. Photo released on January 26, 2010. (KNS/AFP/Getty Images) #

29

Kim Jong-il inspects the October 7 Pig Farm under Korean People's Army Unit 534 at undisclosed place in North Korea. Photo released on January 16, 2010. (KNS/AFP/Getty Images) #

30

Kim Jong-il inspects the Hwanghae Iron and Steel complex in Hwanghae province in North Korea. Photo released on February 21, 2010. (KNS/AFP/Getty Images) #

31

Kim Jong-il visits Jagang Provincial Library. Photo released on Tuesday December