North Korea has released photographs showing leader Kim Jong Un inspecting clothing and footwear at an exhibition in Pyongyang, following unverified claims on social media that he had died after suffering a severe brain haemorrhage.
The photographs, released by North Korean state media on Monday, October 19, showed Kim visiting a garment and footwear exhibition. He was seen examining children’s shoes and women’s clothing, including a pink shoe held by a woman at the event.
Another photograph showed the 42-year-old leader standing alongside officials during the visit.
The release of the images came after Wanjun Xie, a Chinese dissident based in the United States, claimed on social media that Kim had suffered a severe brain haemorrhage, fallen into a coma and died while receiving treatment in Beijing.
Xie also alleged that Chinese medical specialists had travelled to North Korea to treat Kim before his reported death. He further claimed that Kim’s body had been returned to North Korea and that China had deployed 9,000 troops to Pyongyang amid fears of unrest over a possible succession crisis.
However, the allegations have not been independently substantiated, and no credible, independently verified evidence has confirmed Kim’s death or the reported deployment of Chinese troops.
Although the newly released photographs appear to counter the rumours, the exact date they were taken has not been independently verified. Their publication alone does not conclusively establish Kim’s current medical condition.
Previous Death Rumours
Speculation about Kim’s health is not new. In 2020, rumours about his death and claims that he was in a coma circulated widely after he disappeared from public view for several weeks.
The reports triggered questions about the future of North Korea’s leadership, with his younger sister, Kim Yo Jong, frequently mentioned as a possible successor.
Kim’s daughter, Kim Ju Ae, has also attracted growing attention after accompanying her father to several high-profile public events since her first widely reported public appearance in November 2022.
South Korean intelligence assessments have reportedly identified her as a potential successor, although North Korea has not officially announced her as the country’s next leader.
For now, the death reports remain unverified, while the latest photographs have renewed attention on the North Korean leader’s health and the country’s political succession.
About the Author
