'Kim recovering at seaside villa'

SEOUL: Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) leader Kim Jong Il has been living at an east coast villa since mid-May and is likely convalescing after reportedly suffering a stroke last year, a newspaper said on Sunday citing US and Republic of Korea (ROK) intelligence officials.

Kim's health has been the focus of attention since Western intelligence officials said he suffered a stroke in August before publicly naming his successor. ROK officials say he has recovered, yet the 67-year-old looked gaunt when he appeared at the country's parliament in April.

The US informed Seoul that Kim had been staying at the villa in Wonsan since mid-May, the JoongAng Ilbo Sunday newspaper said, quoting an unidentified official privy to DPRK affairs. The report said US military satellites, which closely monitor Kim's personal vehicles, had detected his movement.