12 Dec 2008

Doctor confirms North Korean leader's stroke

9:48 am on 12 December 2008

A French doctor has confirmed that North Korean leader Kim Jong-il did have a stroke, as claimed by the US and South Korea.

But Dr Francois-Xavier Roux, who last treated the little-seen leader in late October, says he did not undergo an operation and is now better.

Dr Roux also says official photos that have just been published seem recent and authentic, and that Kim Jong-il still appears to be in charge in North Korea.