North Korean state media releases photos of Kim Jong Un amid recurring death rumors
Photos published by the Rodong Sinmun show Kim Jong Un inspecting a clothing exhibition with his daughter, contradicting recent unverified claims that the leader had died in Beijing.
North Korean state newspaper Rodong Sinmun published photographs that show leader Kim Jong Un, 42, touring a clothing and footwear exhibition alongside his daughter, Kim Ju Ae. The images were released hours after a Chinese dissident living in the United States alleged, without evidence, that Kim had suffered a brain haemorrhage, been taken to a hospital in Beijing and had died.
The dissident, Wanjun Xie, who describes himself as chairman of the Chinese Democratic Party, claimed the North Korean leader was transferred to China because of insufficient medical facilities and that his body had been secretly returned to North Korea.
"Kim suffered a severe brain haemorrhage and was taken to Beijing, where he later died," Xie said in a statement.
South Korean intelligence officials told Yonhap they have not received any credible information supporting the claim. No observable changes, such as heightened security along the Chinese border or increased activity around North Korean diplomatic missions, have been reported.
The latest rumor follows a pattern of unverified reports about Kim's health. Similar claims surfaced in 2020 after a high-profile defector said he was "99% certain" the leader had died following cardiovascular surgery; Kim later appeared publicly, disproving that allegation.
Analysts note that uncertainty over succession fuels speculation. While Kim Jong Un has consolidated power since assuming leadership in 2011, the prospect of a future successor—potentially his teenage daughter—remains unclear, prompting heightened interest in any sign of the leader's ill-health.
Experts also point to Kim's known health risk factors, including obesity and heavy smoking, which have led South Korea's National Intelligence Service to warn of a higher likelihood of cardiovascular problems. Any sudden change in leadership could have regional implications, affecting nuclear command structures and prompting concerns about stability along the Chinese border and in South Korea.
Because information from the hermetic North Korean regime is scarce, rumors often fill the void, underscoring the difficulty intelligence agencies face in confirming details about the country's highest official.