North Korea is set to make an "important announcement" on Monday amid speculation over the health of its leader Kim Jong-Il, a Japanese newspaper has reported. The Sankei newspaper said there was speculation within Japan that the announcement could be about Kim's death or a change in government brought about by a coup.The 66-year-old Kim disappeared from public view in mid-August and failed appear on two important national holidays, leading to speculation that he was seriously ill. United States and South Korean officials said he had suffered a stroke and had undergone brain surgery, but North Korea has denied that he is unwell.
Quoting unidentified sources at Japan's defence ministry, the Sankei said Tokyo had information that "there will be an important announcement on (October) 20th". It said that announcement is also expected to include a ban on foreigners entering North Korea from this week.
The Sankei report came a day after Japan's biggest-selling Yomiuri daily said North Korea had ordered its diplomats abroad to be on standby for an important announcement.
Quoting several unidentified sources, the Yomiuri said the announcement could be about Kim's health or North Korea's relations with neighboring South Korea.
In Seoul, Kim Ho-nyeon, chief spokesman at the South Korean Unification Ministry, said the ministry had not detected any unusual signs in North Korea. South Korea's National Intelligence Service said it was trying to verify the Japanese media reports.
North Korea released photos earlier this month showing Kim inspecting a military unit and appearing healthy, but it did not say when the pictures were taken.
On Thursday, North Korea threatened to break off all relations with South Korea if its new conservative government continues what the North called a policy of reckless confrontation with it.