DPRK Leader Kim Jong II Watches Football Match: KCNA

This undated photo released by Korean Central News Agency in May 2008 shows North Korean leader Kim Jong II. Kim has made his first reported public appearance since rumours that he suffered a stroke. [Photo: AFP]

Kim Jong II, top leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), watched a student football match, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported Saturday.

The match was held between Kim II Sung University and Pyongyang University of Railways on the occasion of the 62nd anniversary of the founding of the former, it said. Kim II Sung University beat Pyongyang University of Railways 4-1.

The report did not mention the date when Kim watched the game.

"After watching the match, leader Kim Jong II congratulated the players on their outstanding performance," said the report.

"Students in our country are good at art and sporting activities while devoting all their wisdom and enthusiasm to the study of science for the country and the people," Kim was quoted as saying.

Kim did not appear in public during the military parade marking the 60th anniversary of the founding of the DPRK on Sept. 9.