More than a 'shadow' of doubt that Kim's new photos were doctored

London, Nov 7 : Three months after vanishing from public view, and after reports that North Korea's supreme leader Kim Jong-il had undergone brain surgery following a stroke, a new picture of the "Dear Leader" has come under scrutiny over concerns it may have been doctored to end speculation over his ailing health. In the picture Kim's shadow appears to be different to that of the soldiers alongside him in one picture, but in another lineup his shadow appears to fit with the surrounding soldiers, The Telegraph reported.

A closer inspection of photographs issued by the North Korean officials suggests that Kim's shadow is somewhat different to the soldiers accompanying him, leading to suggestions it the photographs may have been doctored in Photoshop.

Korean state media reported on Thursday that Kim had attended an artistic performance with senior party and military figures.

The official Korean Central News Agency said, without giving a date for the performance: "At the end of the performance he waved back to the cheering performers and audience and congratulated them on their successful presentation."

His health has been the subject of intense speculation because he has not publicly nominated a successor to run the nuclear-armed nation.

After he failed to attend a parade in September marking the country's 60th anniversary, South Korean and US officials reported he suffered a stroke in August, but was recovering well, the paper said.

Official media in recent weeks has released a series of reports and photographs of the leader but this has merely increased speculation.

ANI