A source in Seoul says that North Korean leader Kim Jong-il is presumed to be away from Pyongyang.

According to the source, the North Korean leader's whereabouts are unknown. The North's official Korean Central News Agency reported that Kim toured Hamgyeong Province to inspect factories and military units on August 13th.

The source added that the North Korean leader might still be away from the capital. Another person who recently visited North Hamgyeong Province said that it was difficult to travel by train, as heavy rains and landslides had disconnected railroads.