Speculation over Kim Jong-un’s health: What we know so far

Speculation over Kim Jong-un’s health: What we know so far

The international media on Tuesday was making a buzz about the demise of North Korea’s Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un. As soon as this news went viral, all social media platforms were trending with #KimJong-un. Several officials in the US also said that their intelligence is working to figure out Kim’s health status.

The speculation was powered after the Supreme Leader of North Korea missed celebrations for the birthday of his grandfather, Kim Il Sung, which is considered as the most important holiday in the country.

Several leaders were absent for the celebration of North Korea’s founding father in the past, and now reports are saying that Kim was unable to attend the event because of coronavirus concerns. But his no-show unvaryingly provoked speculation about his health.

Also, the other report stated that the leader had a cardiovascular treatment. As a result, his health condition is deteriorating.

It’s an ardent task to know and confirm the final news. Even the United States’ intelligence is finding difficult to confirm without access to reliable information.

It’s not clear whether it’s been confirmed about the demise or whether there is a high calculation that the 36-year-old Kim is in danger.

This is not the first time the Supreme Leader is seen absent. He had disappeared in 2014 because of the ankle injury. The bottom line is that any reporting on Kim’s status needs to be cautiously examined. 

The family’s antiquity has also lifted the speculation. Kim’s grandfather and father suffered various diseases such as diabetes and succumbed to death because of heart failure.

What Korean media say
The North Korea media, which is controlled by the government speaks about leaders as if they are Godlike individuals and seldom remarks about their health.

Their media on Wednesday made no mention of new appearances by their Supreme Leader, amid constant global speculation over his health following reports he underwent surgery. Their print media also discussed topics such as sports equipment, self-sufficient economy, mulberry picking and more. Still, there was no single mention of Kim’s status.

On the other side, South Korea’s Presidential Office Blue House said that their leader looked to be handling state matters as usual and that it had no material about rumours regarding his fitness.

The Blue House also stated that Kim is believed to be staying at an unnamed site outside of North Korea’s capital Pyongyang with close confidants.

What next
Guesswork is rising about the destiny of Kim Jong-un. Now many people have started thinking, who will rule the country?

It is believed that Kim’s children are too young. Three of them have never been mentioned in any media of the country and are assumed to be ten years old or younger. But there is one member in Kim’s family who has drawn in closer to his political circle: his sister Kim Yo Jong.

Recently, Kim Yo Jong was recalled in a senior party role. She also has toured to South Korea and Singapore, where she joined Kim Jong-un for his first meeting with US President Donald Trump and past few weeks, the state media has also delivered statements on foreign policy in her name.

Is it a new sign for the regime?

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