Unverified online rumors claim North Korean leader Kim Jong Un suffered a brain hemorrhage
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Social media posts allege that Kim Jong Un is in a coma after a brain hemorrhage, but the claims remain unconfirmed and analysts await official confirmation.
Unverified posts on social media are alleging that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un was rushed to Beijing for emergency treatment after suffering a brain hemorrhage and is now in a coma. The speculation says he was taken to the Peking Union Medical College Hospital, citing concerns about medical facilities in Pyongyang.
Kim was last seen publicly on Oct. 11, touring a new defense museum in Pyongyang with his 13-year-old daughter, Kim Ju-Ae, according to photographs released after the visit.
North Korea analyst Benedict Rogers said he expects the regime to provide evidence of the leader’s condition if the rumors persist, noting that past deaths of supreme leaders have been followed by highly visible public mourning. "He doesn’t look a well man," Rogers said, adding that Kim is "extremely overweight."
Rogers also said that when a North Korean leader has died, the state has staged an orchestrated outpouring of grief, which has not yet been observed. He suggested that either such displays will appear, or the authorities will release proof of Kim’s health.
Rumors about Kim’s health have surfaced before, including a 2020 claim that he had died after disappearing from public view. At that time, a former diplomat alleged that Kim was in a coma and preparing to hand power to his sister, Kim Yo-Jong.
Experts note that if Kim were to die, Kim Yo-Jong, who already holds significant influence, would likely assume interim leadership until Kim Ju-Ae is deemed ready to lead. Kim Yo-Jong recently said Pyongyang is considering deploying additional tactical weapons near the border with South Korea.
South Korean intelligence has previously described Kim as "extremely obese," reporting a weight of more than 310 pounds (140 kg) at 5 ft 7 in, and highlighted his heavy smoking as a health concern.
No official statement from North Korean authorities has confirmed or denied the current rumors.