North Korea's Kim nervous

Some analysts say Pyongyang is waiting for the right opportunity to announce Jong-Un's nomination as eventual successor.

SEOUL, February 23, 2010 (AFP) - North Korea's ailing leader Kim Jong-Il is showing "symptoms of nervousness", South Korea's spy chief said Tuesday, amid international pressure on the communist state to return to nuclear talks.

Won Se-Hoon told an intelligence committee in parliament that Kim, 68, was suffering "a lot of anxieties regarding resolving pending issues", Yonhap news agency said.

Won, head of the National Intelligence Service, did not elaborate on the "pending issues", but North Korea is grappling food shortages, economic woes and an international standoff over its nuclear programmes.

The spy head said Kim, who suffered a stroke in August 2008, was "trying hard to appear healthy" by removing spots on his face.

The reclusive leader was "relying increasingly on his family and old friends", Won said.

Kim, whose health has been the subject of intense speculation, is widely reported to be preparing for the eventual succession of his youngest son Jong-Un.

Jong-Un has been expanding his political influence since he turned 26 on January 8, Yonhap said.

Some analysts say Pyongyang is waiting for the right opportunity to announce Jong-Un's nomination as eventual successor.