SEOUL, South Korea - North Korea's Kim Jong Il ascended Thursday to his third term as leader of one of the world's most reclusive nations, buoyed by a rocket launch heralded in state media as "historic" but assailed elsewhere as provocative.
State media said lawmakers re-elected Kim chairman of the powerful National Defence Commission at the opening session Thursday of the new rubber-stamp parliament, an appointment that under the constitution makes him the nation's top leader.
But there was no confirmation in a noon broadcast on state TV that Kim himself was presiding over the session in what would be his first major public appearance since reportedly suffering a stroke last August.
Kim, 67, fell out of sight afterward. He failed to attend a milestone 60th anniversary parade, a no-show that sparked concerns about his health and fears of a succession crisis in the nuclear-armed nation. Pyongyang denies he was ill.
Kim re-emerged in state media in early October and has steadily made "on-the-spot field guidance" of farms, factories and military units in an energetic tour widely seen as an attempt to squelch rumours about his health.
Starting at 9 a.m. local time Thursday, state TV aired an unusual daytime broadcast trumpeting Kim and his leadership, showing undated footage of him meeting with soldiers and workers as well as troops hard at work. State TV typically doesn't go on air until the 5 p.m. news, except on special occasions.
The lengthy patriotic montage touted the country's best, with the military featured prominently in nearly every scene.
And there was Kim, in a parka and hat exhorting officers in a sports stadium, reviewing troops, getting briefings from white-uniformed naval officers and smiling benevolently as he appeared to give advice. Some of the scenes were clearly file footage, showing the burgeoning belly he sported before losing significant weight in recent months.
Shortly before noon, the official Korean Central News Agency announced Kim was officially re-elected leader Thursday, "reflecting the unanimous will and wishes of all the servicepersons and people."
State TV also gave North Koreans their first glimpse Tuesday of the rogue regime's controversial rocket launch, more than two days after a liftoff decried by the U.S., Japan, South Korea and other nations as a provocation that merits international censure.
North Korea claimed it successfully put a communications satellite into orbit and that it was transmitting data and playing patriotic odes to Kim and his father.
U.S. and South Korean military officials say nothing ever made it into orbit and accuse Pyongyang of using the launch to test its long-range missile technology.
Washington, calling the launch of a three-stage rocket a bold violation of UN Security Council resolutions barring North Korea from ballistic missile-related activity, is leading the push for council condemnation.
However, debate remains stalled, with North Korea's closest ally, China, and Russia maintaining calls for restraint. North Korea's deputy UN ambassador, Pak Tok Hun, has warned Pyongyang will take "strong steps" if the Security Council takes any action.
Observers will be watching Kim Jong Il and Thursday's session closely for clues to his health and any signs he may be laying the groundwork for a successor.
Kim has ruled the impoverished nation of 24 million with absolute authority since his father's death in 1994.
It's unclear whether the communist dynasty will extend to a third generation. None of Kim's three sons was elected to parliament in March, and they are not believed ready to assume the leadership mantle.
Asked about his chances of succeeding his father, eldest son Kim Jong Nam told Japan's TBS television that he wouldn't be in Macau this week if he were in line.
He said he was worried about the controversy surrounding the rocket launch.
"I think more tension will be in North Korea and around this country," he told TBS. "I'm quite worried about this."
