Released by state television, they are believed to have been taken during the summer, and not in recent weeks. Doubts remain about the health of the North Korean leader, absent for months from public ceremonies.

Seoul (AsiaNews/Agencies) - The photos of Kim Jong-Il released by North Korea last week in order to stop the speculation about the health of the "Dear Leader" appear to have been taken during the summer, and thus before his illness.

Last October 11, Pyongyang television released photos of the dictator visiting a military camp. The photos show Kim Jong-Il in perfect health, speaking with military officers and surrounded by green plants. They are the first images released after almost two months and many questions about the real health condition of the leader who, according to American and South Korean intelligence, had a stroke in August and underwent a brain operation.

The North Korean media have launched a genuine campaign to demonstrate that their leader is perfectly healthy, accusing the West of "conspiracy."

The photos released have not removed the doubts: the greenness of the surrounding environment implies that they were taken in July, in the middle of summer. According to Lee Eun-joo, a specialist in horticulture at the University of Seoul, if they had been taken this week, the leaves would show autumn colors. The South Korean news agency Yonhap, citing intelligence sources, also affirms that in all probability the photos were taken in July or August.

The health of the "Dear Leader" is one of the most closely guarded secrets of North Korea. Fears about his health have increased during the long period of his absence from public events. Last October 10, Kim missed the celebration for the anniversary of the founding of the workers' party; last September, he even missed the parade for the 60th anniversary of the founding of the state.

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