Home North Korea NorthKorea (News Focus) Speculation arises again over N. Korean leader's health
By Sohn suk-joo
SEOUL, June 11 (Yonhap) -- Keen attention is being paid to the health of North Korean leader Kim Jong-il after a British newspaper speculated that he may need heart surgery to restore his failing health.
Citing western government sources, the Daily Telegraph reported North Korea's reclusive leader has been so unwell that he could not walk more than 30 yards without a rest.
Pyongyang watchers agree that Kim Jong-Il The Chairman of the Defense Commission of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, and defacto dictator, is having health trouble.  Due to the secrecy of the North Korean regime only small bits of information are available.  Kim is reported to have difficulty walking unassisted and is reported to be frail.  Due to these symptoms, Kim's obvious obesity, and the fact that a team of German cardiologists has been dispatched to Pyongyang; It is believed Kim is suffering from congestive heart failure.  Kim's father Kim Il-Sung died of heart failure in 1994.