Fears of a civil war in North Korea are growing after unverified claims that Kim Jong-un has died, with reports that China has sent 9,000 troops to "stabilise" the situation. The speculation follows claims of the dictator's severe ill health, which have not been confirmed by any official source.
Conspiracy theories that Kim Jong-un has passed away are spreading across social media and various media outlets, but none of these claims have been verified. Authorities have released pictures attempting to prove he was alive.
Origin of the Rumours
The rumour mill began after comments posted to X by Wanjun Xie, a Chinese dissident based in the US. On Monday, Xie alleged Kim had suffered a severe brain hemorrhage, lost consciousness and was transferred to Peking Union Medical College Hospital in Beijing, because of North Korea's poor medical facilities.
Xie then claimed China had sent 9,000 troops over to North Korea to aid Kim Jong-un's sister Kim Yo Jong with the succession. There are now fears that uncertainty surrounding the entire situation combined with tensions with South Korea could lead to a "civil war".
Succession Concerns
Xie said: "Rumours circulate that Kim Jong-un has died, thwarting Kim Ju-ae's succession plans and potentially plunging North Korea into civil war."
"A grave situation is prevailing along the southern border due to the reckless behaviour of the ROK military gangsters," Kim Yo Jong said earlier this week, referring to South Korea by its official name – the Republic of Korea [ROK] – before vowing to resume "tactical broadcasts".
Border Tensions Escalate
Border tensions have escalated in recent years as North Korea has installed mines, barbed wire fences, anti-tank defences and other front-line fortifications in keeping with its strategy of severing connections with the South. This month, South Korea accused North Korea of planting mines which triggered the explosions at the border on September 21.
South Korea's armed forces have also asserted that North Korean troops breached the border's military demarcation line 50 times this year while carrying out fortification operations. The nation responded by discharging warning shots and issuing warning announcements.
Proof of Life Attempts
In an attempt to prove that Kim Jong-un is still alive, North Korean media has published "proof of life" images of the dictator which show him looking at children's footwear and women's coats at a garment and footwear exhibition. South Korean diplomatic and security officials have now said they had heard "nothing" to support the speculation.
