North Korean leader Kim Jong-il has been staying out of the public eye for 40 days amid the rumors of his ailing health.

His last public appearance was when Korean Central News Agency reported the leader inspected a military base on August 14th.

After former leader Kim Il-sung’s death in July 1994, Kim Jong-il withdrew from the public eye for 87 days. In 2003, he did not make a public appearance for 49 days.

As in the past, Kim is keeping indirect contact with the outside world, exchanging congratulatory messages with foreign leaders and communicating with North Koreans on certain accomplishments.