North Korean Leader Watches Football Game

Pyongyang, North Korea (AHN) - President Kim Jong Il of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea was reported to have watched a student football match, making his first public appearance since rumors spread that he suffered a stroke.

According to the official Korean Central News Agency, Kim watched the match between Kim Il Sung University and Pyongyang University of Railways to mark the 62nd founding anniversary of the Kim Il Sung school.

Although the report did not indicate the date of the match that Kim saw, Kim Il Sung University's anniversary was on October 1. The university defeated Pyongyang Railways 4-1.

The report said, "After watching the match, leader Kim Jong Il congratulated the players on their outstanding performance."

Kim reportedly said after the match, "Students in our country are good at art and sporting activities while devoting all their wisdom and enthusiasm to the study of science for the country and the people."

The 66-year-old leader did not attend the military parade during the 60th anniversary of the DPRK on September 9, sparking speculations he suffered a stroke.