Rumors spread that Kim Jong-un died in Beijing. North Korean state media released photos to refute the rumors
Quick Look
- North Korean leader Kim Jong-un was rumored to have died of cerebral hemorrhage in Beijing, China.
- However, the Korean Central News Agency released a photo on the 20th of Kim Jong-un taking his daughter Kim Jong-ae to visit a clothing and footwear exhibition, saying it was taken on the 19th to dispel the rumor.
- Xie Wanjun, a dissident living in the United States, broke the news on the X platform on the 18th that Kim Jong-un suffered a cerebral hemorrhage and was sent to Beijing for rescue but failed, but did not provide evidence.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
Kim Jong-un's health has long attracted international attention, and there have been numerous rumors about his health problems in the past. South Korea's National Intelligence Service assessed on September 30 that his weight was about 140 kilograms and that he had a high risk of cardiovascular disease.
Kim Jong Un visited the exhibition with his daughter Kim Jong Ai, and the interaction at the scene seemed quite normal. (Picture taken from KCNA)
Recently, there have been wild rumors on social media that North Korean leader Kim Jong-un died in Beijing, China due to cerebral hemorrhage. North Korea has not directly responded. However, the official media "Korean Central News Agency" published a photo of Kim Jong-un on the 20th, claiming that he was inspecting a clothing and footwear exhibition on the 19th. It seemed to be an attempt to refute the rumor.
According to the New York Post, Xie Wanjun, a Chinese dissident living in the United States, disclosed the explosive news of Kim Jong-un's death on X on the 18th. He alleged that Kim Jong-un suffered a severe cerebral hemorrhage. Experts from the Peking Union Medical College Hospital went to North Korea for treatment on the 17th. After Kim Jong-un fell into coma, he was sent to Beijing for rescue, but there was no way to save him. His body has been secretly transported back to North Korea.
Please read on...
Xie Wanjun's statement has no evidence, witnesses, or photos to support it, but it has still attracted widespread attention on social platforms, and many international media have forwarded the rumor. In response, "Korean Central News Agency" released a number of photos today, in which Kim Jong-un can be seen visiting the exhibition with his daughter Kim Jong-ae, and the interaction at the scene seemed quite normal.
However, it is unclear whether these exhibition photos were taken on the 19th as claimed by KCNA. Kim Jong-un's health has always been the focus of international attention. South Korea's National Intelligence Service stated on September 30 that Kim Jong-un is estimated to weigh 140 kilograms and is at a high risk of cardiovascular disease.
Social media reported that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un died in Beijing, China. North Korean state media released photos to refute the rumors. (Picture taken from KCNA)
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
North Korea will continue to release visual content of Kim Jong-un’s public activities through state media in the next few days to consolidate the effect of refuting rumors.
Likely · Within days
Open Questions
- Did Kim Jong Un really receive medical treatment in Beijing, China?
- Were the exhibition photos indeed taken on the 19th?
- What is the specific source of Xie Wanjun’s revelations?
- Does North Korea release regular official information on its leader's health?
