North Korea: Kim Jong-Un’s silence sparks rumours of his death

Several North Koreans and the world at large were surprised when Kim Jong-Un missed state celebrations for his country’s biggest holiday, the April 15 birthday of his grandfather and founder of North Korea, Kim Il-sung.

Multiple rumours have since been in circulation regarding the whereabouts of North Korean leader.

Though North Korea is still sending letters and gifts to foreign leaders and domestic workers in the name of its leader, many believe he is not in good health condition or at worse has passed away.

Last seen in public was on April 11, the New York Times reports that some rumours say he is “in grave danger”, or is ” brain dead” after a heart-valve surgery gone wrong at the hands of a nervous North Korean surgeon or one of the doctors China dispatched to treat him. Others say he is down with COVID-19 contracted from a Chinese doctor.

While none of the rumours, not even that of his death have been confirmed, Kim’s sister has been earmarked by many as a replacement for him if the 36 year old has actually passed away.

MMI