N. Korean leader rapidly improving from illness: official By Yoo Cheong-mo

SEOUL, Sept. 12 (Yonhap) -- North Korean leader Kim Jong-il is certain to be ill at present, but has recovered enough to brush his teeth on his own, a South Korean government official said Friday.

"We have obtained information that Kim can brush his teeth without help from
others," the Seoul official said on condition of anonymity, dismissing
speculative reports that the reclusive communist leader is partially paralyzed or
in critical condition.

"However, the South Korean government is still closely watching Kim's health
and other situations in North Korea in anticipation of an emergency there."

The official also noted that Kim is believed to have collapsed from a stroke, but
the possibility of his illness being a minor brain disorder cannot be ruled out.

Asked when Seoul first obtained reliable information on Kim's health problem, the
official said there was a lapse of about two to three weeks between when the
leader fell ill and Seoul learned of the news.

The latest flurry of speculation surrounding Kim's health began after he failed
to appear at the North's 60th founding anniversary military parade in Pyongyang
on Tuesday, and reports had surfaced of Western and Chinese doctors flying into
the communist state.

Seoul's intelligence chief, Kim Sung-ho, confirmed in a parliamentary briefing
the following day that the North Korean leader was in the midst of recovering
from a stroke.

President Lee Myung-bak has instructed his Cabinet to be fully prepared for any
abrupt change in North Korea's political situation.