Posted by
ticktickok on Wednesday, October 29, 2008 3:14:05 AM
The
report in the Dong-a Ilbo newspaper cited an unnamed government
official in saying intelligence obtained Sunday suggested "a serious
problem" with Kim's health. The report did not elaborate.
Kim, 66, reportedly suffered a stroke and underwent brain surgery in August. North Korea, however, denies he is ill.
South
Korea's National Intelligence Service and its Unification Ministry said
Wednesday they were aware of the Dong-a report but could not confirm it.
The
report came a day after Japan's prime minister told lawmakers in Tokyo
that Kim probably is in the hospital, though "not unable" to make
decisions as North Korea's leader.
The chief
of the National Intelligence Service had told lawmakers Tuesday that
Kim was "not physically perfect" but still able to rule the country.
Speculation
about the reclusive leader's health grew when he missed a September
military parade marking North Korea's 60th anniversary. He then
disappeared from public sight for two months.
Kim,
who rules the Stalinist nation with absolute authority, has not
publicly named any successors, leading to concerns about an uncertain
future in the impoverished, nuclear-armed nation.
North
Korea has sought in recent weeks to tamp down rumors about Kim's health
with news reports and footage portraying the leader as active and able,
attending a soccer game and inspecting a military unit. The reports,
photos and video are undated.
Japan's Fuji
television has reported that Kim's eldest son, Kim Jong Nam, flew
recently to Paris to recruit a neurosurgeon to treat his father.
Japanese
Prime Minister Taro Aso told lawmakers Tuesday that the French doctor
got on a plane for Beijing, perhaps en route to North Korea. South
Korea's NIS chief Kim Sung-ho also said the son was believed to have
traveled to France recently.
The French
weekly Le Point reported on its Web site Tuesday that a French
neurosurgeon who is a close friend of French Foreign Minister Bernard
Kouchner was traveling to North Korea to give medical care to Kim. But
Le Point said it had contacted the doctor, Francois-Xavier Roux, who
insisted he was in Beijing for several days - and not North Korea.
Roux's
hospital in Paris told The Associated Press late Tuesday that its
offices were closed for the day, and that no one was available to
answer questions about him. The French Foreign Ministry confirmed that
Roux knows Kouchner.
Aso told lawmakers his
government had information that Kim probably remains hospitalized. "His
condition is not so good. However, I don't think he is totally
incapable of making decisions."
The NIS chief
told South Korean lawmakers Kim appeared to have recovered enough to
carry out his daily duties as the country's leader.