Kim Jong Il Through the Years

July 8, 2009: In this image made off KRT footage distributed by APTN, North Korean leader Kim Jong Il, center front, is seen during the 15th anniversary of the death of Kim Il-sung, his father and founder of the country, in Pyongyang, North Korea. Kim Jong Il paid respects Wednesday to his late father, state media reported, amid intense speculation over preparations for the next transfer of power in the world's first communist dynasty.

Reuters

July 8, 2009: Kim Jong Il, center, arrives at the 15th anniversary of the death of Kim Il-sung.

AP

Kim Jong Il visits the Hamhung semiconductor materials factory in South Hamgyong Province, North Korea, in this undated picture released by North Korea's official news agency KCNA on July 1, 2009. KCNA did not state expressly the date when the picture was taken.

AP

In this undated photo released by Korean Central News Agency via Korea News Service in Tokyo Sunday, June 7, 2009, North Korean leader Kim Jong Il inspects a farm in Hamju County, North Korea's South Hamgyong province.

AP

Oct. 3, 2007: Then South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun, right, shakes hands with Kim Jong Il after ending their summit meeting in Pyongyang, North Korea.

AP

May 22, 2004: Kim Jong Il, speaks, accompanied by North Korean Vice Foreign Minister Kang Sok Ju, background, during a summit with Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi in Pyongyang.

AP

September 17, 2002: Junichiro Koizumi, as Japan Prime Minister, shakes hands with Kim Jong Il in Pyongyang, North Korea.

AP

April 25, 2002: Kim Jong Il claps from the balcony as soldiers salute him during a military parade, celebrating the foundation of the armed forces in Pyongyang, North Korea. Kim has been staying in an eastern coastal villa since mid-May apparently to convalesce from his reported stroke last year, a South Korean newspaper reported Sunday.

AP

October 23, 2000: Madeleine Albright, then Secretary of State, and Kim Jong Il at the Pae Kha Hawon Guest House in Pyongyang, North Korea.

AP

October 30, 1998: Kim Jong Il, Chung Ju-Young, as founder of Hyundai Group, and Chung Mong-hun, as Hyundai top executive, in Pyongyang, North Korea.

AP

June 1, 1991: Kim Jong Il.

AP

August 19, 1981: Kim Jong Il, and eldest son Kim Jong Nam.

AP