This screen grab from North Korean television shows North Korean leader Kim Jong-Il attending a session of the parliament in Pyongyang on Apr. 9, 2009.

A South Korean television station is reporting Monday that North Korean leader Kim Jong-il has pancreatic cancer, and that his illness is life-threatening. YTN television says its report is based on information obtained by South Korean and Chinese intelligence officials. No other details are immediately available.

Kim's health has been a focus of speculation for the past year after he reportedly suffered a stroke. He disappeared from public last August for several months. North Korean media outlets have vehemently denied the reports of Kim's ill health, and published undated photos and video footage of him.

Kim looked gaunt during a rare public appearance last Wednesday at a memorial in honor of the 15th anniversary of his father Kim Il-sung's death.

Last month a South Korean newspaper reported that Pyongyang was trying to import expensive medical equipment to treat the leader through intermediaries in China. The report did not specify the disease, but said Kim's condition was serious.

The status of Kim's health raises the issue about his succession in the communist dynasty, and who will control the country's nuclear weapons programs. Recent media reports said Kim named his youngest son, 26-year-old Kim Jong-un as his successor. In April he promoted his brother-in-law Jang Song-taek to the powerful national Defense Commission.

Some information for this report was provided by Reuters.