SEOUL - NORTH Korean leader Kim Jong-Il is back in firm control of his country, South Korea's unification minister said on Monday, following reports that he suffered a stroke last August.

'I believe the North's leadership has now secured stability,' minister Kim Ha-Joong told reporters, citing numerous reports this month of visits by the leader.

'We should conclude that everything is working normally.'

South Korean and US officials have said the 66-year-old leader suffered a stroke in mid-August, although Seoul officials have said he staged a good recovery.

Mr Kim's health is the subject of intense interest since he has not publicly nominated a successor to rule the impoverished but nuclear-armed communist state.

North Korea's state media carried no reports between Aug 14 and Oct 4 of Mr Kim's public appearances.

But the media have reported trips to a variety of destinations in recent weeks and have published photographs, in an apparent attempt to show that he is active and in charge.

The official Korean Central News Agency said early on Monday that Mr Kim attended a concert by the State Symphony Orchestra in his latest reported public appearance.

It said senior officials from the ruling Workers' Party of Korea and army generals also attended the performance but did not say when it took place.

When Mr Kim appeared in the auditorium, 'the whole audience broke into the rousing cheers of 'Hurrah!' and enthusiastically welcomed him,' it said.

The orchestral appearance follows weekend reports of visits to an air force and an army unit.

'He took warm care of the pilots' service and living as a real father would do, looking round a bedroom, mess hall, kitchen and other places of the unit,' the news agency reported. -- AFP