Seoul, Oct 21:
North Korea has released photographs of leader Kim Jong Un inspecting footwear and women’s clothing at an exhibition, following unverified social media claims that he had died after suffering a severe brain haemorrhage.
The photographs, published by North Korean state media on Monday, showed Kim examining children’s footwear, looking at women’s coats displayed on mannequins and interacting with officials during a visit to an exhibition. The country’s official Korean Central News Agency reported that Kim toured the exhibition on Monday.
The images emerged hours after rumours circulated online claiming that the 42-year-old leader had fallen into a coma and had been taken to Beijing for emergency medical treatment. The allegations also triggered speculation about a possible succession crisis in the secretive country.
However, the photographs have not been independently authenticated, and the exact time they were taken remains unclear. The claims circulating on social media have not been supported by medical records or independently verifiable evidence. North Korean authorities have not issued a specific statement addressing the death rumours.
Kim’s health has long attracted international attention, with speculation periodically emerging about his condition and the future leadership of the country. Similar rumours circulated in 2020, when claims that Kim was seriously ill or had died were later disproved by his subsequent public appearances. The latest episode again highlights the difficulty of independently verifying information about North Korea’s leadership.