Kim Jong-il Has Pancreatic Cancer, Reports S.Korean news agency

South Korean YTN news agency issued a report, alleging that the leader of North Korea -- Kim Jong-il has pancreatic cancer and his illness is life-threatening. Kim Jong-il did not look very healthy when he attended the memorial dedicated to his father, the Great Leader Kim Il-sung, on Wednesday of this week.

Just recently, North Korea has performed a test of its nuclear power, prompting a barrage of new economic sanctions against the country from the UN. Now, as the news of Kim Jong-il's illness broke, there are increased speculations about who will succeed him -- in June of this year, it was reported that Kim Jong-il has selected his youngest son Kim Jong-un as his successor. Kim Jong-un is 26 and has received his education in Europe.

Pancreatic cancer has a very poor prognosis: typically, less than 5% of those with the disease survive beyond five years after diagnosis. Complete remission is rare. People currently battling the disease include Hollywood actor Patrick Swayze  and Supreme Court Justice Ruth Ginsburg. CEO of Apple Steve Jobs and Australian actor Colin Friels have survived pancreatic cancer.