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North Korea - 'Giant Soldier' Pays Respects to Kim Jong-il

Published on: January 2, 2012 12:20 AM

By: Read more at Telegraph

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This photograph was taken by North Korea’s official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) and is one of several pictures which all appear to show the same giant soldier from different angles Photo: REUTERS

North Korea - At first glance it appears to be just another photograph of immaculately turned out troops paying their last respects to North Korea’s former leader Kim Jong-il.

But a closer inspection of the back row of one block of mourners reveals a far from ordinary sight - a soldier who appears to be well over 8ft tall.

The remarkable image was captured as the funeral procession of the late leader passed near the Kumsusan Memorial Palace in the capital Pyongyang.

It was taken by North Korea’s official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) and is one of several pictures which show the same giant soldier from different angles.

The “giant soldier” photograph looks less likely to have been manipulated given he can be seen in different images from several angles.

A close crop of the image, and with its exposure enhanced, shows the strikingly tall figure quite clearly.

The photo’s emergence has led to widespread speculation as to who the soldier might be with, some online commentators suggesting the mystery figure is the 7’ 8” tall North Korean basketball star Ri Myung Hun.

The current, tallest man living is Sultan Kösen who measured 8’ 3” in Ankara, Turkey, in February this year. The part-tme farmer was the first man over 8 ft tall to be measured by Guinness World Record in more than 20 years.

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