A former presidential aide says North Korean officials have strongly denied the rumors about their leader Kim Jong-il’s ailing health.

Chu Bu-gil visited Pyongyang for five days as the head of the memorial association for Bukgwandaecheopbi, an 18th-century war monument.

He quoted North Korean officials as saying the rumors were the wrongful acts of extremists. Chu added that Kim’s health did not seem to be in serious condition.

During the visit, the association and the North’s Buddhist Federation adopted a joint statement denouncing Japan’s claim over the Dokdo islets. The two sides agreed to set up a replica of the monument on the highest point of the islets.

The war monument, built in 1707, honors a Korean general who repelled Japanese invaders in the 16th century. It was looted by Japan a century ago but was then returned.