N Korean leader reappears

Seoul has dismissed theories the blast was aimed at Mr Kim

North Korean media has given its first report of a public appearance by leader Kim Jong-il since a deadly train explosion last month.

Mr Kim inspected military unit 4302 and watched soldiers training, KCNA state news agency said on Monday.

The North Korean leader is presumed to have passed through the station destroyed in the incident, just hours before it happened.

KCNA acknowledged the blast, but has not reported Mr Kim's response to it.

Kim Jong-il "advanced important tasks which would serve as guidelines in further increasing the combat capability of the unit, greatly satisfied to see all officers and men of the unit trained as a match for 100 fighters capable of undertaking any combat duty under any circumstances," KCNA reported.

It did not say when the inspection took place.

North Korean media had made no mention of Mr Kim since he returned by rail from secret talks in China on 21 April. He is believed to have passed through Ryongchon station, where the blast occured, shortly after crossing the border on his way home.

Aftermath

More than 160 people died 10 days ago in the Ryongchon explosion, sparked when a train carrying oil and chemicals hit power lines.

Aid workers have warned that the death toll could get even higher, as several hundred people remain in hospital.

North Korea estimates that $350m of damage was caused by the blast, and has made a rare appeal for outside aid.

Emergency supplies have already been shipped by sea and road, and airlifted, from South Korea, Russia and China.

A North Korean guide in Pyongyang told Reuters news agency that Ryongchon residents were desperate for food and shelter.

"Makeshift shelters have been set up, but we need building materials," Choi Ung-ho reportedly said.

"We cannot escort General Kim Jong-il to the site because it was such a horrible accident and recovery work is ongoing."