Rumors of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's death due to a cerebral hemorrhage have captured global attention.
On October 20, reports from the New York Post, The Sun, and the Daily Express indicated that claims circulated on social media suggesting Kim was urgently transported to a hospital in Beijing after suffering a severe cerebral hemorrhage. Some posts even alleged that he died during treatment and that his sister, Kim Yo Jong, had taken over power.
However, these claims lacked objective evidence. Despite this, the rumors about Kim's health have gained traction, leading to coverage by international media.
In response, North Korea's state-run Korean Central News Agency reported that Kim Jong Un visited the 'National Clothing and Footwear Exhibition-2026' in Pyongyang with his wife, Ri Sol Ju, and daughter, Kim Ju Ae, attempting to quell the speculation. However, the timing of the photos used in the report has not been verified. NK News, a North Korea-focused outlet, dismissed the death rumors as baseless.
Attention has also turned to Kim's recent activities prior to the spread of these rumors. On October 10, he attended a performance commemorating the 81st anniversary of the Workers' Party, where state media released footage of him watching the event alongside his daughter and wife. The following day, he participated in the opening ceremony of the newly built National Defense Revolution Museum, with related photos released on October 13.
Rumors regarding Kim's health and potential death have surfaced in the past. In April 2020, speculation arose when he did not appear at the celebrations for the birthday of his grandfather, Kim Il Sung. At that time, Kim was absent from public view for about 20 days, leading to claims of a serious health crisis. However, he reemerged on May 1, attending the completion ceremony of a fertilizer factory, with North Korea releasing photos the next day to dispel the rumors.
This latest wave of death rumors differs from 2020 in that there has been no confirmed period of public absence preceding the speculation, which has primarily spread through social media.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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