CNN news 2014-10-16 加文本

cnn news 2014-10-16

AZUZ: Now, to North Korea, a communist country run by Dictator Kim Jong- un, also a very secretive country. There`s no freedom of the press in North Korea. The government controls the media, radios and TVs are preset

to government stations, and it`s illegal to listen to foreign stations if the government hasn`t jammed them. So, if something`s wrong in that

government or with its leader, and if officials don`t want the people to know about it, they simply won`t tell them.

That`s why it`s so hard to get information about Kim Jong-un when he`s missing from the public eye.

ANDERSON COOPER, cnn CORRESPONDENT: It`s Kim Jong-un`s longest absence from public view since he took over the country when his father, Kim Jong-

il died in December of 2011. Kim Jong-un`s public persona has been a highly crafted piece of propaganda ever since.

The 31-year old military strongman is a near constant theme. Kim riding a horse complete with galloping sound effects mixed in. Kim seemingly

operating a tank. Saluting columns of North Koreans soldiers at a parade, overseeing military exercises, all in an effort to project both the

strength of North Korea`s military and the military`s own devotion to their supreme leader.

Their public appearance is not just to reflect strength, but also benevolence. Here, Kim bends down to meet a bowing toddler, taking her

hands in his, more daunting uncle than ruthless dictator.

And then, there`s a turn to the surreal, the baby-face leader giggling on a ride of the opening of an amusement park in Pyongyang. And of course, the

controversial visit by former NBA star Dennis Rodman.

But it`s this video of Kim clearly limping on stage in July that`s getting a lot of attention and has fueled reports that he is ill. The North Korean

state media released this other video two weeks ago, also it`s unclear when it was shot, acknowledging Kim is suffering from "discomfort." Theories

range from a case of gout to ankle problems because of ballooning weight.

Since his last public appearance, some believe his little sister Kim Yo Jong could be running the country or even that he`s been deposed in a coup,

but nothing has been confirmed.

To North Korea watchers, Kim`s absence from two high profile events and the silence about his whereabouts is deafening.

GORDON CHANG, AUTHOR, "NUCLEAR SHOWDOWN": To skip an event which honors your father and your grandfather is a serious breach of protocol. Unless

there are some really good reason. I think right now that Kim Jong-un is suffering under not only a physical disability, but a political one as

well.