North Korea Responds to Foreign Media Rumors of Kim Jong Un's "Coma from Cerebral Hemorrhage" with Latest Photos

Rumors spread through foreign media that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un had fallen into a coma due to a cerebral hemorrhage.

While some even raised rumors of his death, North Korea refuted them by releasing photos of Kim's latest public activities.

The US New York Post and the UK The Sun reported online rumors that Kim had fallen into a coma due to a severe cerebral hemorrhage and was urgently transferred to a hospital in Beijing, China.

Later, media outlets in other countries, including Ukraine and Türkiye, also reported on the matter.

Some outlets even speculated that in the event of Kim's incapacitation, his sister, Workers' Party Vice Department Director Kim Yo-jong, would temporarily seize power before handing it over to his daughter, Ju-ae.

The origin of the rumors was traced to Shi Wunjun, a Chinese dissident active in the United States.

On October 18, he posted claims on social media that Chinese medical staff were dispatched to North Korea to treat Kim, and that Kim was subsequently moved to China but ultimately died.

He went on to claim that the body was secretly returned to North Korea and that China dispatched 9,000 troops to North Korea.

However, no objective evidence, such as medical records or eyewitness testimony, was presented to support these claims.

Amidst this, North Korea's Korean Central News Agency released several photos, stating that Kim had visited an exhibition of apparel and footwear yesterday.

His wife, Ri Sol-ju, and daughter, Kim Ju-ae, also accompanied him to the site.

In the photos, Kim was captured bending over to examine pink children's shoes and personally touching the sleeve of a women's coat displayed on a mannequin.

He was also captured spreading both arms and giving instructions to accompanying officials.

North Korea's latest report contrasts with online claims that Kim had already died.

Rumors regarding Kim's health issues have repeatedly surfaced in the past.

In 2020, rumors of his death circulated when he did not appear in public for a while, but he later resumed public activities, proving the rumors false.

During a parliamentary briefing on September 30, the National Intelligence Service estimated Kim's weight to be around 140 kg and assessed that he is at a high risk for cardiovascular disease.

However, the agency stated that no distinct signs of health abnormalities have been identified in his public activities, such as running up stairs during a recent inspection of warships.

Reported by Kim Minjeong | Video by Lee Dain | Design by Lee Sumin | Produced by SBS Digital News
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.