Washington, Sept. 9 (Reuters): 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”.

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 Kim, 66, and suspected of suffering from chronic illness, collapsed last month, citing a South Korean diplomatic source. Kim, as leader, attended the parades for the 50th and 55th anniversary of the state.