Rumor of Kim Jong-il Hospitalized

Tokyo Shimbun reported on January 8 that a rumor is circulating indicating that North Korea leader Kim Jong-il entered a hospital in Pyongyang to heal his chronic enteritis back in October 2003.

According to the source, in October 2003 Kim received medical treatment at Bonghwa Hospital in Pyongyang which is known to be equipped with the best medical treatment equipment and techniques.

At the end of September 2003, the visit by Wu Banguo, the executive director of National People’s Representative Council of China, to North Korea was abruptly postponed at the request of North Korea. The health condition of the leader Kim may have been aggravated at this moment, Tokyo Shimbun assessed.

The decisive contents of the medical treatment have not been disclosed yet, but it appears Kim has recovered from the ailment, added the newspaper.

parkwj@donga.com