A South Korean official has claimed Kim Jong-un is “alive and well” as global concern grow over the rumoured death of North Korean leader
mid rumours that the North Korean leader might be gravely ill, incapacitated or even dead.
President Moon Jae-in’s foreign policy advisor insisted Kim is staying at his holiday resort on the North Korean coast.
Chung-in Moon told Fox News: “Our government position is firm…..Kim Jong-un is alive and well.
“He has been staying in the Wonsan area since April 13. No suspicious movements have so far been detected.”
His claims came as a train was spotted at Kim’s private railway station near his holiday home in the resort.
A 38 North report said: “The train’s presence does not prove the whereabouts of the North Korean leader or indicate anything about his health but it does lend weight to reports that Kim is staying at an elite area on the country’s eastern coast.”
The North Korean leader has not been seen public in about two weeks and rumours emerged he could be dead after he underwent heart surgery.
Kim also missed a ceremony on Friday while the country’s state-run media celebrated the 88th anniversary of the country’s armed forces.
The 36-year-old leader was already said to be in general poor health condition, being a heavy smoker and morbidly obese – which makes him more susceptible to major health issues.
It comes as vice director of Hong Kong Satellite Television (HKSTV) Shijian Xingzou said a “very solid source” has told her Kim Jong-un was already dead, according to Mail Online.
Separately, a Japanese media outlet claimed Kim is in a “vegetative state” after he underwent heart surgery earlier in the month.
Lindsey Graham, a top US senator, said he would be “shocked” if Kim Jong-un is not dead or incapacitated.
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He said: “It’s a closed society. I haven’t heard anything directly, but I’ll be shocked if he’s not dead or in some incapacitated state because you don’t let rumors like this go forever or go unanswered in a closed society which is really a cult, not a country, called north Korea.
“So I pretty well believe he is dead or incapacitated. And I hope the long suffering north Korean people will get some relief if he is dead.”
Trump said on Thursday that he believes reports about Kim’s condition were “incorrect”, The Washington Examiner reports.
On April 24, a South Korean source told Reuters their intelligence was that Kim was alive and would likely make an appearance soon.
Kim Jong-il, the current leader’s father, died of a heart attack while travelling by train two days before it was announced publicly.
