South Korea's spy chief says North Korean leader Kim Jong Il appears to have recovered enough from a stroke to resume his ordinary duties.
National Intelligence Service chief Kim Sung-ho told lawmakers Tuesday that while North Korea's autocratic leader is not completely fit, he appears well enough to run the country.
The South's spy agency also believes Mr. Kim's eldest son, Kim Jong Nam visited France last week.
South Korea's Yonhap news agency quotes the spy chief as saying Mr. Kim's son traveled to France to meet his father's neurosurgeon.
North Korea denies Mr. Kim is ill, even though he has not been seen in public since mid-August and missed several anniversary celebrations.
South Korean and U.S. officials say Mr. Kim suffered a stroke in August.
Some information for this report was provided by AFP.
