North Korea's Kim makes first appearance since test

SEOUL, Oct 18 (Reuters) North Korean leader Kim Jong-il made his first public appearance since last week's nuclear test, taking in a song and dance performance, the North's official KCNA news agency reported today.

Kim has mostly been absent from the public eye since North Korea test fired seven missiles in July, leading some to speculate the North's defiant acts over the past few months have put his leadership to the test.

Kim was accompanied by several top North Korean officials as they watched performers sing the praises of the communist state and Kim's leadership with songs such as ''Love of Comrades'' and ''Always looking up to the Leader'', KCNA reported.

''He (Kim) waved back to the enthusiastically cheering artistes and audience and congratulated them on their successful performance,'' it said.

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