SEOUL, South Korea - South Korean intelligence indicates that ailing North Korean leader Kim Jong Il has suffered a serious setback and has been hospitalized.
The report in the Dong-a Ilbo newspaper cites an unnamed government official in saying intelligence obtained Sunday suggested "a serious problem" with Kim's health.
The report did not elaborate.
Kim 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 rumours 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 travelled to France recently.
The French weekly Le Point reported on its website Tuesday that a French neurosurgeon who is a close friend of French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner was travelling 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."
