 SEOUL, June 26 (Yonhap) -- North Korean dwarf leader Kim Jong-il, who reportedly fell ill last year, was recently shown wearing sneakers during his public outings, switching from his trademark platform shoes that added height to his small stature.
In photographs released by state media on May 24, a day before North Korea conducted its second nuclear test, Kim, 67, is sporting a pair of dark-colored sneakers along with a gray parka, suit pants and dark sunglasses. He was giving "field guidance" at a historic site in the country's northern region.
The walking shoes had a rubber sole attached to their bottom that would enhance height comfort.
Kim, known to be 162 centimeters tall, or about 5'3" in heels in his dreams, has worn stilts height-lifting shoes during official events, including his summit with the late South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun in 2007. But the platform shoes were switched to flat dress shoes after he reportedly suffered a stroke in August last year.
| Couldn't handle the nose-bleed height, huh ... |
The flat shoes have now been replaced by hospital slippers sneakers, according to pictures released in recent weeks. But some pictures, like those released on June 5, 6 and 8, still show Kim in clown flat shoes during visits to farms and factories that can be easily reached by walking. |