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Kim Jong-un rumored to be in ‘vegetative state’: Reports
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This file picture taken during the period of December 28 to December 31, 2019 and released from North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on January 1, 2020 shows North Korean leader Kim Jong Un attending a session of the 5th Plenary Meeting of the 7th Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea in Pyongyang. (STR/KCNA via KNS/AFP/File)
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peculations mounted Sunday that North Korean leader Kim Jong-un is dead, amid conflicting accounts about his health were reported since he disappeared from public view two weeks ago. But the exact situation remains unclear with unconfirmed claims.
A vice director of Hong Kong Satellite Television Shijian Xingzou claimed that Kim has already died, citing a “very solid source,” according to media reports. Separately, Japanese magazine Shukan Gendai reported he was in a “vegetative state,” after he underwent a heart surgery earlier this month, and cannot recuperate. South Korean media outlet Monthly Chosun also reported the leader was in coma.
None of these claims have been confirmed as of now.
Despite the speculations, North Korea has kept mum on Kim’s health or his whereabouts. The only mention was that he expressed thanks to workers building facilities in Samjiyon, situated near Paektusan, according to the Korea Central News Agency.
The rumors on Kim’s health arose when he skipped an annual event at the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun on April 15 to commemorate the birthday of his late grandfather, national founder Kim Il-sung. Kim Jong-un was last seen April 11, when he presided over a politburo meeting of the ruling Workers’ Party.
Multiple reports followed, including that Kim is in “grave danger,” after undergoing surgery.
The South Korean government has downplayed the reports, saying “no unusual developments have been detected.”
This article appeared on The Korea Herald newspaper website, which is a member of Asia News Network and a media partner of The Jakarta Post
