The son of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's key confidant has received medical treatment in Singapore to restore hearing, a news report said Friday.

   Choe Hyon-chol, son of North Korean military's top political officer Choe Ryong-hae, underwent treatment in the city state last month, Japan's Mainichi Shimbun newspaper reported from Beijing, without identifying a source.

   The newspaper also reported that Kim has given US$100,000 to help cover the costs.

   The junior Choe, an official of the ruling Workers' Party, had a traffic accident in North Korea in September last year, the newspaper said, citing unidentified North Korean officials in China and Singapore.

   Still, it did not elaborate on whether the traffic accident caused hearing loss of the junior Choe.

   The National Intelligence Service, South Korea's top spy agency, said it does not confirm foreign media reports on North Korea.

   The report, if confirmed, could suggest that Kim is trying to take care of his confidants following the December execution of his powerful uncle, Jang Song-thaek, on charges of treason.

   The senior Choe said in December that he will track down and kill those who do not follow Kim's leadership.

   The senior Choe's father, Choe Hyon, was a key confidant to the country's founder Kim Il-sung, the late grandfather of the current leader. (Yonhap News)