North Korean media publish photos of Kim Jong Un amid reports of his poor health
In short
The Korean Central Telegraph Agency (KCNA) published photos of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un at a clothing and footwear exhibition on 19 October, after reports that he had suffered a stroke or brain hemorrhage. Interfax wrote that he looks quite healthy in the pictures, while Kommersant noted it is unclear when they were taken.
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North Korean media published photos of leader Kim Jong Un from recent events amid reports about his poor health, Interfax reported on 20 October. KCNA said that on 19 October Kim, whom it called General Secretary of the Workers' Party and Chairman of State Affairs of the DPRK, visited an exhibition of clothing and footwear in the light industry sector. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
According to Interfax, the photos show Kim, accompanied by his wife Ri Sol Ju and daughter Kim Ju Ae, looking at the clothing and footwear on display. Interfax wrote that he looks quite healthy in the pictures. Kommersant said the exhibition was in Pyongyang and that in the photos Kim talks with workers and looks at goods. [ 1 , 2 ]
The day before, The Sun reported that the North Korean leader had suffered a stroke and fallen into a coma, Interfax wrote. Kommersant wrote that a report the day before stated that Kim had suffered a brain hemorrhage, citing social media information that he was first hospitalized and then taken out of the country because of poor medical care in Pyongyang. [ 1 , 2 ]
Kommersant wrote that Kim was last seen in public on 11 October, at a defense museum in Pyongyang. It added that it is unclear when exactly the new photos were taken. [ 2 ]
Interfax wrote that some media suggested that if Kim became incapacitated, his sister Kim Yo Jong would temporarily take power before handing it to his 13-year-old daughter. Kommersant wrote that the North Korean leader plans to name Kim Ju Ae his successor, and that The Chosun Daily reported in February that he had appointed her head of the country's missile program. [ 1 , 2 ]
Why it matters
The photos follow reports about the leader's health, but Kommersant notes that the time they were taken is unclear. Interfax wrote that some media have speculated about who would take power if he were incapacitated.
Key facts
- KCNA said Kim Jong Un visited an exhibition of clothing and footwear on 19 October and published photos. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- KCNA's photos show Kim accompanied by his wife Ri Sol Ju and daughter Kim Ju Ae, looking at the clothing and footwear on display. [ 1 , 2 ]
- The photos were published after reports of a stroke and coma (Interfax) or a brain hemorrhage (Kommersant). [ 1 , 2 ]
- Interfax wrote that Kim looks quite healthy in the photos. [ 1 ]
- Kommersant wrote that Kim was last seen in public on 11 October, at a defense museum in Pyongyang. [ 2 ]
- Kommersant reported it is unclear when exactly the photos were taken. [ 2 ]
Confirmed by several sources
Still unclear
- Whether Kim Jong Un suffered a stroke, coma or brain hemorrhage. Interfax cites The Sun on a stroke and coma; Kommersant cites social media information on a brain hemorrhage, hospitalization and removal from the country. No document confirms these claims.
- When the published photos were taken. Kommersant wrote that it is unclear when exactly the pictures were made; KCNA's account gives the visit date as 19 October.
- Who would take power if Kim became incapacitated. Interfax wrote that some media suggested his sister Kim Yo Jong would take power temporarily before passing it to his 13-year-old daughter; this is speculation.