Where is North Korean leader Kim Jung-il recuperating? Pictures published by the official media seem to confirm that Kim is suffering the effects of a stroke, since he seems to have lost the use of his left arm. Chances are he is in hospital or recuperating at one of his villas, an intelligence official speculated Monday.

Kim Jong-il is known to have 24 villas across the country, most of which are equipped with medical facilities comparable to those of hospitals.

"According to the information we've gathered, Kim Jong-il has five villas in Pyongyang alone and a dozen in areas accessible within two hours by train or car," the official said. Mt. Jamo villa, Oncholli villa and Youngnamri villa, all in South Pyongan Province, can be reached in an hour by car.

Kim is said to use different villas matched with the seasons and his hobbies. Many of his villas are on the coast or by lakes because he is fond of water, and all of them have fishing spots, a government official said.

Kim's villas at Shinchon, South Hwanghae Province and at Mt. Jongbank in North Hwanghae Province have been built for another hobby of Kim's: hunting. Kim stays at his villa in Sukhari, Sinuiju, North Pyongan Province when he visits China, and at his Lake Yonpoong villa, in Anju City, South Pyongan Province, when he inspects the Youngbyon nuclear facilities. He also uses different villas to inspect military and industrial facilities.

While his father Kim Il-sung had six or so villas, Kim Jong-il has sharply increased the number of houses for his exclusive use since the 1970s when his succession to power became clear, according to a government official.