Television grab from North Korean television shows leader Kim Jong-Il inspecting a military unit in North Korea. Japan's prime minister has said Kim is likely in hospital but able to make decisions, fuelling concerns over the reclusive dictator's health after a reported stroke.(AFP/Chosun Chung-ang TV/File)
NKorea's Kim Jong Il Sick But In Control: Japan
-- Yahoo News/AFP
-- Yahoo News/AFP
TOKYO (AFP) – Japan's prime minister said on Tuesday that North Korean leader Kim Jong-Il is likely in hospital but able to make decisions, fuelling concerns over the reclusive dictator's health after a reported stroke.
Citing intelligence reports, Prime Minister Taro Aso told a parliamentary committee on foreign policy that Japan has "information that he is probably in hospital."
"Anyway, his condition isn't good. But we don't think that he's in a state where he's incapable of making any decisions at all," Aso said.
"Our understanding is that if that were the case, we would be seeing different developments," he said without elaborating.
The state of Kim's health -- and the question over who would succeed him -- has been a topic of intense speculation since he failed to appear at a key anniversary parade in early September.
US and South Korean officials say the 66-year-old recluse is believed to have suffered a stroke.
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