SEOUL, South Korea — South Korean intelligence indicates that ailing North Korean leader Kim Jong-Il has suffered a serious setback and has been hospitalized, a newspaper reported today.
The report in the Dong-a Ilbo newspaper cited an unnamed government official as 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 today that 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 a successor, 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 the military. The photos and videos 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.
South Korea’s National Intelligence Service chief, Kim Sung-Ho, also said the son was believed to have traveled to France recently.
