Kim Jong Un, the leader of North Korea, has been making a series of public appearances in the fields of economy, military, and diplomacy, showcasing his vitality following rumors of his death.
The speculation about Kim's death originated from a post by Chinese dissident Xie Wanjun, who resides in the United States. He claimed that Kim had suffered a severe cerebral hemorrhage and was rushed to a hospital in Beijing, where he ultimately died. This claim was subsequently reported by foreign media outlets, including the UK’s The Sun and the US’s New York Post, leading to widespread rumors.
On October 23, South Korea's National Intelligence Service reported to the National Assembly's Intelligence Committee that the rumors of Kim's death were unfounded. They had previously assessed in September that there were no significant health issues concerning Kim.
According to the Korean Central News Agency, Kim visited an exhibition for the light industry sector in Pyongyang on October 19. The day after the death rumors surfaced, the agency released photos of Kim touring the exhibition alongside his daughter, Kim Ju-ae.
Kim continued his public engagements in the military sector as well. From October 22 to 23, he led the third conference of company commanders of the Korean People's Army, emphasizing the importance of combat readiness and the roles of frontline commanders.
On October 24, Kim visited Dandong in Liaoning Province, China, ahead of the anniversary of the Korean War's outbreak. He met with Wang Huning, chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, and visited the Anti-American Aid Korea Memorial Hall, reaffirming the close ties between North Korea and China.
On October 27, he posed for commemorative photos with participants of the military conference. North Korean media released related images the following day, highlighting Kim's military activities.
On October 29, Kim attended the 'Drone Technology Development-2026' exhibition, where he delivered a speech. He outlined the modernization of military capabilities as a key focus, particularly the integration of artificial intelligence into unmanned weapon systems.
As Kim continues to demonstrate his presence through these public activities, attention is turning to the future of economic cooperation between North Korea and China, as well as the potential for renewed dialogue between North Korea and the United States.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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