SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA - NORTH Korea has released a photograph of leader Kim Jong-Il watching a football match, South Korean media reported on Sunday, amid mounting speculation about the state of his health.

The North's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) sent a photo of Mr Kim watching the game between two army teams, Yonhap news agency reported.

Yonhap staffers said the photo did not say when or where the match was played.

It was the latest of several reports apparently aimed at suggesting the leader is well, following widespread overseas reports that Mr Kim, 66, suffered a stroke in mid-August.

Japan's Prime Minister Taro Aso said last week Mr Kim is probably in hospital but still capable of making decisions about his hardline communist state.

On Thursday, Mr Kim failed to attend the state funeral for former vice president Pak Song Chol.

Mr Kim's health is the subject of intense speculation since he has not publicly nominated a successor to run the impoverished and nuclear-armed nation.

After he failed to attend a Sept 9 parade marking the country's 60th anniversary, South Korean officials said he underwent brain surgery following a stroke around mid-August but is recovering well.

On Oct 4, KCNA reported Mr Kim watched a student football match but did not say when the game was held. On Oct 11 state television released still photos of Mr Kim inspecting a women's army unit.

US and South Korean officials said foliage shown in the photo appeared to indicate the pictures were taken before his reported illness.

KCNA in its latest report said the army game was held in connection with the close of the 11th People's Sports Contest and Mangyongbong won 'by successfully applying the Korean-style sporting method'.

'After watching the match, Mr Kim Jong Il congratulated the footballers on their success in the match, expressing great satisfaction over a high level of the game played by them,' it said.

KCNA said the leader watched the game along with senior army and communist party personnel. -- AFP