North Korean leader Kim Jong-un is alive and well, according to new photos showing him at a clothing and footwear exhibition in Pyongyang with his daughter, Kim Ju-Ae. The images, released today, come after social media rumours claimed he had fallen into a coma following a 'brain haemorrhage'.
Kim had not been seen in public since October 11, prompting speculation that he had been taken to a Chinese hospital for treatment. The new photos appear to show the dictator in good health, with no verification of the online claims.
Health Rumours and Past Speculation
Rumours about Kim's health have circulated before, particularly concerning his weight. In 2020, reports also claimed he was in a coma, and at that time it was suggested his power would be transferred to his sister, Kim Yo Jong.
The 42-year-old leader has faced health issues in the past due to heavy drinking and smoking. His family has a history of heart problems, and South Korea's spy agency has said Kim suffers from obesity-related conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure.
Succession Questions
If Kim were to die or become incapacitated, a power struggle could unfold. While some reports have suggested he would transfer authority to his sister, Kim Yo Jong, who is believed to be the nation's second-in-command, last year it was reported that Kim had chosen his daughter, Kim Ju-ae, as his successor instead.
Kim Ju-ae, believed to be around 13 or 14 years old and the middle child of three, was kept out of the public eye until recently. She was introduced as an infant to former NBA star Dennis Rodman during his 2013 visit to North Korea, and made her first public appearance in Western media in November 2022, accompanying her father during an inspection of the launch of the Hwasong-17 intercontinental ballistic missile.
