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SEOUL: North Korean leader Kim Jong-Il described his country as invulnerable due to its "matchless great" army, during an inspection of an artillery unit, state media said Monday.
Kim watched a firing drill from an observation platform and met soldiers during the visit, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said. It did not specify when his trip took place.
The agency quoted Kim as saying North Korea "is invulnerable and the cause of building a great prosperous powerful nation is sure to be accomplished as it has this matchless great army that has become steel-strong."
The latest inspection followed a report on Saturday that Kim inspected a tank unit in his first public appearance of the year.
It is the first time Kim has visited military units as his New Year activity since 1995, said South Korea's unification ministry, which handles cross-border relations.
South Korean and US officials have said the 66-year-old Kim suffered a stroke in mid-August. Seoul officials have said he made a good recovery and both South Korean and US officials say he is still in control of the country.
Kim's health is the subject of intense interest since he has not publicly nominated a successor to rule the nuclear-armed communist state.
Kim has a history of diabetes and heart disease, Seoul officials say.
North Korea's state media carried no reports between August 14 and October 4 of Kim's public appearances.
But the media have reported Kim's trips to a variety of destinations since then and have published photographs in an apparent attempt to show that he is active and in charge.
- AFP/yb
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