Just when you thought he couldn't get any more eccentric...

Kim Jong Il, the odd and reclusive leader of North Korea, called a rare press conference this morning in Pyongyang. Curious members of the State-controlled media gathered to hear what the Dear Leader had to say. Tension was high, as recent verbal sniping between Kim and the government of South Korea led some journalists to suspect that a declaration of war was imminent.

Kim, however, seemed unusually cheerful when he finally made his appearance, laughing and joking with the assembled press. After about 3 minutes of non-sequiturs, the North Korean leader suddenly leapt from behind his lectern, grabbed a startled female TV reporter, and waltzed around the room with her. Kim then sprang to attention, saluted the stunned journalists, and announced, "That is all. Good-bye." The Dear Leader turned on his heel, and left the room.

Outside observers wonder if this will become a new April 1st tradition for Kim Jong Il.