SEOUL - North Korean leader Kim Jong-il's appearance, captured en route to China for his current visit, has provided strong evidence of his deteriorating health due to a past stroke and diabetes.

According to video footage filmed by a Japanese media outlet, the 68-year-old's left leg seemed paralyzed and was being dragged along.

``Not only the left leg, but his left arm was almost motionless compared to the right arm, which indicates that he is suffering from the after-effects of a stroke,'' said Min Yang-ki, a neurologist from Hallym University's Medical Center, said Tuesday. Kim was reported to have had a stroke in April 2008.

In addition, Kim appeared to have lost hair and weight, which, some medical experts said is a result of kidney dialysis. He is known to have been on dialysis since May last year. But others said it could simply be a symptom of aging.

The reason the video footage has drawn so much attention is because it has provided a realistic glimpse of Kim's health, confirming circling rumors.

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