North Korea has released new photographs of its leader, hoping to silence wide-spread speculation that he is battling pancreatic cancer and has only five years to live.

The undated pictures show 67-year-old Kim Jong II touring a tile factory wearing sunglasses and a short-sleeved shirt and smiling broadly.

However, another photo shown on North Korean TV featured Kim sitting in a chair during an outdoor briefing by factory officials while a soldier held a sunshade over him.
    
South Korea's news agency calls the photos unusual and says they could suggest his health still may not be good.
    
Kim's health has been the focus of intense media speculation and some analysts have said there could be a power struggle in the North if he dies without naming a successor.