The North Korean leader was photographed and displayed on state-run media outlet KCNA wearing his famous heeled shoes. Kim Jong-Il has been wearing regular flat-bottom shoes in his public appearances since his 2008 stroke, leading many to speculate that the ‘ailing’ leader’s health is actually improving. The heels help give the leader a noticeable boost in height, an aesthetic boost to enforce the personality cult surrounding the otherwise 5’3” Dear Leader.
A report from past December also suggested that he was finally recovering use of portions body after the stroke. KCNA released video analyzed by Chosun Ilbo that seemed to demonstrate Kim using his left arm to slide open a door. His left arm is seen usually hanging limp at his side in virtually every image taken of him since the stroke. Perhaps the succession of power to son Kim Jong-Un will have more time to gestate after all?
Source: Yonhap / Chosun Ilbo
