The New Nation - Internet Edition

AFP, Seoul

North Korea reported Tuesday that its leader Kim Jong-Il has visited factories in the communist country, as rumours about his health persist.

The official Korean Central News Agency said in a report early Tuesday that Kim had visited a cosmetics factory and a machinery plant, where he praised staff.

It did not say exactly when the visit took place, but said Kim congratulated workers at the Rakwon Machine Complex on completing the year's assignments by the end of October, suggesting it was this month.

North Korea's exclusively state-run media do not generally reveal the exact date or venue of Kim's appearances.

After he missed a September 9 parade marking his country's 60th anniversary, South Korean and US officials said Kim had suffered a stroke around mid-August but was recovering well.