A North Korean official tasked with procuring medical supplies for the clinic in Pyongyang that treats Kim Jong-un and his family has defected to South Korea.

The official, reportedly an employee of North Korea's health ministry, had been stationed at the regime's embassy in Beijing, where he was in charge of acquiring medicines and medical equipment that are difficult to obtain in North Korea for the Bonghwa Medical Centre.

According to Yonhap News, the unnamed official defected with his family in late September and is being questioned by South Korean intelligence officials. Given rumours of Mr Kim's ill-health, as well as prolonged periods where he has failed to appear in public, the official is likely to be quizzed on the North Korean leader's physical condition.

Mr Kim disappeared for several weeks from September 2014, while he was seen limping and supporting himself with a cane in November of the same year.