North Korea's leader, Kim Jong-il, is suffering from pancreatic cancer, a South Korean television network has reported citing intelligence sources.
Broadcaster YTN citing information gathered from South Korean, Chinese and US intelligence, said on Monday the cancer was diagnosed last August, about the time that the North Korean leader suffered a suspected stroke.The network quoting medical sources in Beijing said Kim may not live more than five years, given the high mortality rate for such a cancer and his advanced age.Kim's health is one of the most closely-guarded secrets in the reclusive communist state.He is widely thought to have suffered a stroke about a year ago, although there has never been official confirmation.In depthNorth Korea's nervous neighbours N Korea's nuclear trump card Videos A rare look at life inside North Korea Double standards on nuclear weapons South Korea's nuclear fears China's troublesome allyMonday's report has renewed concerns about North Korea's leadership amid heightened tensions and increased political uncertainty in the region following Pyongyang's recent nuclear and missile tests.Last week North Korean television showed a Kim looking gaunt and limping slightly in a rare public appearance on July 8 at a memorial for his father and state founder, Kim Il-sung.Kim's health is the subject of intense international attention since there has been no announcement to the outside world about who would succeed him.Reports quoting South Korean intelligence say that Kim has nominated his youngest son Kim Jong-Un, 26, as his successor.However, North Korea has made no official comment on the leadership succession.Analysts have speculated that the North's recent escalation of its military activities is aimed at building internal support as Kim prepares for the succession
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