The Ministry of Unification says it is looking into the rumors of North Korean leader Kim Jong-il’s ailing health.

In a new briefing on Monday, Ministry spokesman Kim Ho-nyoun said spreading of unconfirmed reports would not be helpful to inter-Korean relations.

Kim added that although Kim Jong-il’s absence at the North’s founding day ceremony was unusual, the South Korean government doesn't have enough information to officially discuss the health problems of the North Korean leader.

In its report to the National Assembly last week, National Intelligence Service director Kim Sung-ho said the North Korean leader may have suffered a stroke or a cerebral hemorrhage.