North Korean media say leader Kim Jong-il, who is rumored to be ill, has inspected a female artillery military unit.

The North's official Korean Central News Agency says that Kim also took pictures with the troops but didn't say when he visited the unit.

The North's Korean Central TV meanwhile released photos of him inspecting the unit, which is a first in 58 days since the KCNA unveiled similar photos in August.

But the Korean Central TV did not say when Kim inspected the unit.

But given that the media reports first emerged early Saturday, his troop visit could have taken place on or before Friday, which marked the 63rd anniversary of the Workers' Party.