North Korean leader Kim Jong-il may have had a stroke within the past couple of weeks, a US intelligence official said today.
"It does appear that Kim Jong-il has suffered a health setback, potentially a stroke," the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.
She said there have been no signs of a change in governing power and that assessing whether Kim was still capable of governing would "call for a lot of speculation".
Mr Kim failed to appear at a triumphal military parade today celebrating North Korea's 60th birthday.
South Korea's largest daily, the Chosun Ilbo, said Mr Kim, 66 and suspected of suffering from chronic illness, collapsed last month, citing a South Korean diplomatic source in Beijing.
Mr Kim, as leader, attended the parades for the 50th and 55th anniversary of the state founded by his father Kim Il-sung.
White House spokeswoman Dana Perino, asked about the possible stroke, said: "We do not have any information on that report."
Reuters