Where is Kim Jong-Un? Rumors, Speculation & Updates

[Astronuc]

Kim Jong-un made headlines recently because he vanished from public. It was rumored he died, or was incapacitated, following a heart operation. There are competing claims from different governments and media sources. 15 April was the birthday of Kim Il-sung, and Kim Jong-un was absent from festivities in Pyong-yang.

And there is speculation about who will assume power in his absence.
https://www.foxnews.com/world/with-...n-focus-shifts-to-powerful-sister-kim-yo-jong

https://www.cnn.com/2020/04/26/asia/kim-jong-un-north-korea-health-intl/index.html

(CBC)

https://www.wsj.com/articles/as-kim...rth-korea-watchers-advise-caution-11587918517 (WSJ - subscription required)

(NY Times)

https://www.forbes.com/sites/lisett...s-kim-jong-un-is-alive-and-well/#30e3823a3475

 

[.Scott]

From Fox News Story:

"Our government position is firm," Chung-in Moon, foreign policy adviser to South Korean President Moon Jae-in, told Fox News. "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."

Apparently, one way to track Kim is to follow his train.

 

[.Scott]

It goes without saying - but I'll say it: In a situation where there is an unexpected succession from "Dictator A" to "Dictator B", there is commonly a strong motivation by "Dictator B" to preserve "A"s office while "B" cements their own position of power. "A"s office can be preserved by deception or extreme medical measures.

That said, Reuters is speculating (on credible grounds) that this may be Kim's way of staying clear of COVID-19: Kim's Absence

An authoritative source familiar with U.S. intelligence assessments said credible reports to the U.S government suggested the reason Kim’s presidential train had been spotted near a presidential retreat at the resort of Wonsan last week was that Kim had been staying there to avoid catching the virus.

U.S. government experts lacked categorical evidence to prove this, but were for the most part dismissing media reports suggesting that Kim had contracted some kind of serious illness, the source said.

Kim Yeon-chul described reports that Kim had undergone a heart procedure, and that a Chinese medical team had traveled to North Korea, as “fake news.”

A U.S. official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Washington’s view was largely in line with the South Korean minister’s assessment.

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Monday he has a good idea of how Kim Jong Un is doing and hopes he is fine, but would not elaborate.

On Tuesday, Trump was asked by a reporter about these comments and whether he thought Kim was still in control of North Korea and replied: “I don’t want to comment on it. I just wish him well.”

 

[Greg Bernhardt]

Notice to keep this thread as free of politics and anything toxic as possible. Stick to the neutral facts!