The leader of North Korea, Kim Jong-il, is reported to have pancreatic cancer according to YTN, a South Korean news channel. The unconfirmed reports state that Kim was diagnosed last year, at about the same time of a reported stroke.

YTN broke the news using unidentified sources within South Korea and China. However, the National Intelligence Service of South Korea could not confirm the illness, while a South Korean Ministry of Unification spokesperson also indicated he had no knowledge of the reported illness.

Kim made a rare public appearance on July 8 of this year to mark the 15th anniversary of his father’s death. According to reports, Kim was looking “gaunt” and walking with a limp. 67-year-old Kim has suffered from several severe health problems in the past few years and the North Korean government's reassurances about his health has come under doubt several times.

It is reported that Kim Jong-un, Kim Jong-il’s youngest son, has been hand-selected by his father to serve as the heir to North Korean leadership, but North Korean government officials have yet to issue any confirmation.

Kim Jong-il took over power in 1994 after his father’s death. He currently holds three titles in the North Korean government, the highest among them being the Chairman of the National Defence Commission of North Korea.  He also serves as the General Secretary , and the Supreme Commander of the Korean People's Army.  Kim's father, Kim Il-sung, was posthumously named Eternal President of the Republic.

While Kim is the effective head of state, North Korea's executive power, in theory, is divided into three equal parts: foreign relations, which is overseen by Chairman of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly of North Korea, President Kim Yong-nam; domestic government, which is overseen by Premier Kim Yong-il; and national defense, the source of Kim Jong-Il's dynastic power.

Daniel Pinkston, a senior analyst at the International Crisis Group said that the illness would explain the "rapidness of some of [North Korea's] actions over the past eight months or so, with the attempted satellite launch, nuclear test and missile tests." Pinkston feels the recent actions are for appearances of normalcy and to shore up internal support for a transition of power to Kim Jong-un. "Now they are going through things as if they have a plan or schedule," added Pinkston.

Senior US officials and operatives with the US Central Intelligence agency have long suspected that Kim might be gravely ill.  His recent annointing of Kim Jong-un has only heightened speculation that the longtime leader and frequent adversary to the United States might be nearing his end.

Pancreatic cancer is often a life threatening disease, with the US Cancer Institute estimating a five-year survival rate of 5.5%.

Portions of content courtesy of Wikinews.