RECASTS headline, lead; UPDATES with details from para 4)

SEOUL, Sept. 10 (Yonhap) -- North Korean leader Kim Jong-il suffered a stroke but is recovering, South Korea's intelligence agency was quoted as saying by a lawmaker on Wednesday, spurning widespread speculation here that the communist leader may be seriously ill.

Kim has not made a public appearance in North Korea's state media since Aug. 14, and did not appear at a parade on Tuesday commemorating the communist state's 60th founding anniversary, a rare move that escalated rumors he may be in serious condition.

"Kim suffered either a stroke or a cerebral hemorrhage, but is recovering,
the intelligence agency said. Pyongyang is not in a state of administrative
vacuum," Won Hye-young, the floor leader of South Korea's main opposition
Democratic Party, told reporters after attending the closed-door parliamentary
session on Wednesday.

"Although Kim is not fit enough for outside activity, he is conscious and
able to control affairs," Won added.

Other lawmakers who attended the session, where National Intelligence Service
chief Kim Sung-ho briefed the parliament, backed Won's remarks.

"Kim was planning to attend the founding ceremony in the afternoon, but was
unable to make it due to the aftereffect of a stroke," an unnamed lawmaker
quoted an intelligence official as saying.

hayney@yna.co.kr

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