North Korea’s leader, Kim Jong-Il, has made his first public appearance in 50 days:

SEOUL (Reuters) – North Korean leader Kim Jong-il, thought to have suffered a stroke in August, made his first appearance in about 50 days, the state’s media said on Saturday.

Last month, U.S. and South Korean officials said Kim, 66, may have suffered a stroke in August, raising questions about leadership in Asia’s only communist dynasty as Pyongyang backed away from an international nuclear disarmament-for-aid deal.

North Korea’s official media said Kim saw a soccer match between two universities. The last report of a public appearance by Kim was in mid-August when state media said he visited a military unit.

Reassuring.