President Trump has rejected reports that Kim Jong-un is seriously ill, criticising his frequent nemesis CNN for running the story.

CNN, quoting what it said was an anonymous US official, on Monday reported that Washington was "monitoring intelligence" that the North Korean leader was in "grave danger" after undergoing surgery. Daily NK, an online media outlet run mostly by defectors from the North, said that Mr Kim underwent a cardiovascular procedure earlier this month and was recovering at a villa in North Phyongan province.

The report said that Mr Kim, who is in his mid-30s, had needed urgent treatment due to heavy smoking, obesity and fatigue.

But Mr Trump told reporters on Thursday that the doubted the story. "I think the report was incorrect, let me just put it that way," Mr Trump said. "I'm hearing they used old documents."

The US president declined to say if he had direct knowledge from North Korea that Mr Kim was fine.