U.S. Director of National Intelligence Dennis Blair says North Korea is unlikely to use its nuclear weapons unless the communist state’s regime feels its survival is at stake.

In a testimony to the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence Thursday, Blair said Pyongyang probably views its nuclear weapons as being more for deterrence, international recognition and bargaining than for war.

The intelligence chief added that Washington believes Pyongyang probably would not attempt to use nuclear weapons against the U.S. unless it perceived the regime to be on the verge of military defeat.

On speculation over North Korean leader Kim Jong-il’s health, Blair said the reclusive leader probably suffered a stroke in August that incapacitated him for several weeks but seems to have improved given his recent public activities.