TOPLINE
North Korea’s leader Kim Jong Un was absent from another crucial national event Saturday, sustaining speculation about his health amidst reports that a group of medical experts was sent by China to check on him.
North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un has actually not been seen in public for weeks, sparking speculation about … [+] his health.
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SECRET REALITIES
North Korea on Saturday celebrated the 88 th anniversary of the founding of its militaries, the Korean People’s Revolutionary Army– however visibly missing from excitement in the state-controlled media footage was the country’s supreme leader, Kim, according to South Korean media reports.
The lack of Kim, who is thought to be 36 years of ages, has actually spurred speculation over his health, with reports varying from that he is gravely ill after a cardiovascular operation to that he’s already dead.
Reuters reported that a group consisting of medical specialists left Beijing for the hermit kingdom on Thursday to advise Kim, led by a senior member of Chinese Communist Party’s International Liaison Department, which typically deals with North Korea.
South Korean, Chinese and U.S. officials have actually all challenged emerging reports that Kim is seriously ill after undergoing surgical treatment almost 2 weeks ago– Reuters reported that a South Korean source showed on Friday that all intelligence pointed to Kim living, and most likely to make a public look shortly.
President Donald Trump said Thursday that he believed the reports that Kim is in severe health were “inaccurate,” while another official knowledgeable about U.S. intelligence informed Reuters that while Kim is known to have health issues, there is no evidence he is seriously ill.
Media outlets have actually mentioned he might simply be social distancing to prevent being contaminated with coronavirus– the nontransparent nature of the North Korean program makes it challenging to validate the number of coronavirus cases the country has actually seen.
SURPRISING FACT
No reputable reports allege that Kim has died– but that hasn’t stopped the hashtag #KIMJONGUNDEAD from going viral on social networks.
KEY BACKGROUND
Kim’s last confirmed public appearance was April 11, when he led a meeting of the ruling Workers’ Celebration committee of policymakers, according to North Korean state media reports.
South Korea reported that North Korea had launched tests of short-range cruise rockets off its coast o n April 14, as part of fanfare for Kim’s grandpa and creator of North Korea Kim Il Sung’s birthday. Kim has been reported to have actually attended rocket tests in the past, however this launch went unreported by state-controlled North Korean media. Since then, he was not reported to have actually been present at an event to commemorate Kim Il Sung’s birthday on April15 However, it’s not totally unusual for Kim or other North Korean officials to go weeks without public looks– In 2014, Kim was not seen out in public for 40 days, prior to he reemerged appearing to stroll with a limp and using a walking cane. State media reported he had actually suffered from “an uneasy medical condition” Even just recently as February, Kim went nearly 3 weeks without public appearances
Tangent
Kim is believed to be a heavy cigarette smoker, and appears to have put on weight because he took power after the death of his daddy, Kim Jong Il in2011 The judgment family of North Korea is stated to have a history of cardiovascular problems, with both Kim’s daddy Kim Jong Il and grandpa Kim Il Sung reported to have died from heart attacks.
FURTHER READING
Kim JONG UN STAYS ABSENT ON DAY NORTH KOREAN MEDIA CELEBRATES ESTABLISHING OF MILITARIES(Newsweek)
Exclusive: China sent out group consisting of medical professionals to advise on North Korea’s Kim(Reuters)
Speculation Over Kim Jong-un’s Health Is Fueled by North Korea’s Own Secrecy(New York Times.
NYT.
South Korea Denies North Korean Leader Kim Jong-Un Is ‘Gravely Ill’ As Speculation Mounts ( Forbes)
