SEOUL - NORTH Korean leader Kim Jong Il has attended a musical performance staged by a state choir, state media said on Saturday, its fourth report in four days of visits by the reportedly ailing leader.

Mr Kim, accompanied by two generals and various party officials, attended a performance given by the State Merited Chorus and workers in Jagang Province, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said.

'The artistes sang high praises of the leadership exploits Kim Jong Il has performed in strengthening and developing the revolutionary armed forces and building a rich and powerful country,' the news agency said.

The agency reported that Mr Kim 'warmly waved back to the enthusiastically cheering performers and audience' at the end of the performance.

On Friday, KCNA said that Mr Kim inspected an army unit and had a photo session with soldiers.

On Thursday the agency said Mr Kim gave 'field guidance' at a machine plant in the northern province of Jagang. The previous day it reported his visits to an e-business institute, a library and a medicine factory in the province.

The dates of Mr Kim's visits were not given.

South Korean and US officials say Mr Kim, 66, suffered a stroke around mid-August, although Seoul officials say he is recovering and still in control of his nuclear-armed nation.

Since reports of Mr Kim's illness began circulating in September, official media have reported numerous trips by the leader and released dozens of undated photographs of him.

Mr Kim's health is the subject of intense interest since he has not publicly nominated a successor and has a history of diabetes and heart disease.

On Thursday Admiral Timothy Keating, the commander of the US Pacific Command, said Mr Kim was still in charge of his country.

'He's alive and he remains in control of the North Korean government,' he told reporters in Washington, adding he had no specific details about the leader's medical condition.

'I think he's relatively in control of his faculties,' Admiral Keating said. -- AFP