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THREAD: Kim Jong Un's health status – what do we know?
Wherever Kim Jong Un may be, his almost-two-week disappearance from public view has been marked by some very unusual events in North Korea.
It seems likely a health issue is at play: either superficial or significant issue.
Wherever Kim Jong Un may be, his almost-two-week disappearance from public view has been marked by some very unusual events in North Korea.
It seems likely a health issue is at play: either superficial or significant issue.
Kim last appeared in state media at events likely held on April 11.
That's one day before the Daily NK said he was flown for heart surgery up at Mount Myohyang, on April 12.
That's one day before the Daily NK said he was flown for heart surgery up at Mount Myohyang, on April 12.
3 days after last public appearance, ROK authorities assembled media @ 14:00 local time for a background briefing on a series of NK “cruise missile” tests earlier that morning.
That's the first time I recall NK tests being announced hours later, instead of via instant news alert
That's the first time I recall NK tests being announced hours later, instead of via instant news alert
Oddly, it was padded w/ info about Sukhoi fighter jet activity near Wonsan, as well as unspecified details about border air defense activities at another time.
This was also unusual: ROK doesn't often talk about standard DPRK air force activity.
This was also unusual: ROK doesn't often talk about standard DPRK air force activity.
Though Kim normally attends DPRK missile tests, there was no mention of him at all the next day, on April 15.
In fact, there was no mention whatsoever of any missile tests/air force drills taking place on April 14 in North Korean media.
In fact, there was no mention whatsoever of any missile tests/air force drills taking place on April 14 in North Korean media.
Kim was then absent throughout April 15.
No flowers at the foot of the statues of KIS/KJI on Mansudae Hill.
First time no appearance later at the Kumsusan palace (though flowers in his name were there).
No flowers at the foot of the statues of KIS/KJI on Mansudae Hill.
First time no appearance later at the Kumsusan palace (though flowers in his name were there).
Another big issue: There was no mention *whatsoever* of the status of his pet project, Wonsan-Kalma tourist zone.
He personally approved two construction delays at this mammoth project.
Yet April 15 went by without mention of progress or details on a new date for completion.
He personally approved two construction delays at this mammoth project.
Yet April 15 went by without mention of progress or details on a new date for completion.
All in all, something seems to be up.
But interestingly, U.S. and ROK sources seem to contrast in striking ways.
But interestingly, U.S. and ROK sources seem to contrast in striking ways.
Both CNN and Bloomberg cited informed U.S. intel sources who said that KJU was in serious danger following heart surgery.
In contrast, ROK suggested nothing unusual had been observed and that KJU remains out in the provinces.
In contrast, ROK suggested nothing unusual had been observed and that KJU remains out in the provinces.
In terms of DPRK state media, since Monday they said that:
- Kim Jong Un has written two letters to foreign leaders
- Sent two "birthday spreads" to groups of elder North Koreans
However, there's been no photos or visual evidence of Kim's involvement in any of them.
- Kim Jong Un has written two letters to foreign leaders
- Sent two "birthday spreads" to groups of elder North Koreans
However, there's been no photos or visual evidence of Kim's involvement in any of them.
In addition, we understand that "panic buying" was taking place throughout the high-end marts and shops in Pyongyang on April 21-22.
This might be related more to COVID-19 fears regarding an absence of future imports, but we cannot rule out KJU health rumors played some role.
This might be related more to COVID-19 fears regarding an absence of future imports, but we cannot rule out KJU health rumors played some role.
Overall: Nothing certain about the status of Kim Jong Un, with the result that rumors about health have been growing sharply in recent days.
But given what we do know, it does appear Kim has experienced a health issue of sufficient seriousness to warrant missing key appearances.
But given what we do know, it does appear Kim has experienced a health issue of sufficient seriousness to warrant missing key appearances.
Conclusion:
Given that Kim Jong Il’s death was followed by two days when no foreign intelligence agency in the world was aware of his passing, only official updates about Kim Jong Un can answer the growing questions.
More @ NK Pro: https://www.nknews.org/pro/kim-jong-un-health-rumors-what-we-know-so-far/
Given that Kim Jong Il’s death was followed by two days when no foreign intelligence agency in the world was aware of his passing, only official updates about Kim Jong Un can answer the growing questions.
More @ NK Pro: https://www.nknews.org/pro/kim-jong-un-health-rumors-what-we-know-so-far/
