数以万计的北韩人星期一在平壤的主要广场集会，表示支持金正日要加强北韩军事和经济力量的新年誓言。集会参加者高举拳头，挥舞红旗，列队走过金日成广场。金正日没有出现在美联社有关集会游行的电视片中。
美国和韩国的官员认为，金正日8月患了中风，并做了手术。北韩反驳了有关说法，公布了一系列显示金正日身体健康的照片。北韩官方的朝中社说，金正日今年已经两次视察军队。
Tens of thousands of North Koreans rallied Monday in Pyongyang’s main square to show their support for Kim Jong Il’s New Year’s pledge to bolster the country’s military and boost the economy. Participants in the rally pumped their fists and waved red flags as they marched across the (Kim Il Sung) square. Mr. Kim did not appear at the rally in footage of the march that was broadcast by AP television.
U.S. and South Korean officials believe Mr. Kim suffered a stroke in August and underwent surgery. North Korea has dismissed those claims and released a series of photographs to show Mr. Kim is still in good health. The state-run Korean Central News Agency says Mr. Kim has already made two visits to military units this year.