South Korea 'Plotted to Kill Kim'

North Korea has accused the South of sending an agent to try to assassinate its reclusive leader, Kim Jong-il.

It said the man crossed the border earlier this year and had been planning to use poison to kill Mr Kim.

The man, who is now under arrest, was described by Pyongyang as a North Korean citizen who had received training in the South.

South Korea's main intelligence agency has denied any involvement in the alleged plot.

The North's claim comes at a time of worsening relations between the two Koreas, as well as continued speculation about the health of Mr Kim.

'Terrorist mission'

North Korea made the statement via its official news agency, KNCA, late on Thursday.

It said that a man had recently been arrested for trying to conduct a "terrorist mission" that would "do harm to the top leadership".

The man, named as Ri, was under orders from South Korea's intelligence agency, the statement claimed.

"The organisation sent him speech and acoustic sensing and pursuit devices for tracking the movement of the top leader and even violent poison," the statement said.