North Korean leader Kim Jong-il appeared to be in good health as he toured a technology hub in Beijing Thursday, a witness said, suggesting he may have recovered from a reported stroke in 2008.
The 69-year-old leader's health has drawn wide media attention in recent years amid signs that Kim is grooming his third and youngest son, Jong-un, to take over the reins of power. Since the 2008 stroke, Kim has been spotted walking with a limp in his public appearances.
Kim, who has been travelling along eastern China since Friday, may have chosen to take a special private train for the entire journey to show the world he is fit enough for the long ride, among other reasons, some observers say.
In what appeared to be his last stop before returning home, the North Korean leader arrived in Beijing Wednesday and held summit talks with Chinese President Hu Jintao. Details of the meeting have not been available as both sides remain almost silent on the trip, but Kim's visits to various industrial facilities during his tour suggest the leaders discussed economic cooperation among other issues of mutual concern between the allies.
Earlier Thursday, Kim visited the Chinese IT firm Digital China in Zhongguancun, a well-known IT and electronics hub in Beijing. One employee there, who requested anonymity, said the North Korean leader appeared to be relatively healthy and did not walk awkwardly.
Video footage of Kim's earlier visits to an electronics firm in Nanjing and a supermarket in Yangzhou, both located in eastern China, also showed the leader walking on his own without support from his escorts.
The employee also said Kim was accompanied by Chinese Vice Premier Li Keqiang during his tour of the IT center, but others working there declined to comment.