Seoul plays down report over N Korean leader's health

He wouldn't want to catch the virus

Dont know whether to be glad or not, particularly at this time in the world. If it was "normal" the world could easily keep watch, but if there is a problem with leadership in NK, now, stability within the country could be cause for serious concern!

Well, I'm sure if he was in a bad way, he would have let his BFF and fellow "love letter" exchanger know...

Maybe we'll get clarification at the WH Five-O-Clock Follies Corona briefing tonight starring Donnie the Clown...

I normally don't wish ill will towards most world leaders regardless of their political leanings and policies.

However, I make an exception for a guy like this Kim, who has gorged himself into serious illness while his own people starve and suffer and tortured in concentration camps.

Being that short, overweight and a heavy smoker with very little exercise and all the stress of his position, he more than likely had heart surgery. Lil Kim in some ways would fit right at home in the US. This being one of them.

I wonder how the NK media will spin the perfect, immortal family descendant sent by God leader having surgery for being too obese especially with most of the hermit nation starving.

North Korea's Kim getting treatment after cardiovascular procedure: report

https://www.yahoo.com/news/north-koreas-kim-getting-treatment-002012158.html

Whilst I don't wish ill will against Tiny Kim, his luxury lifestyle, drinking gallons of cognac, smoking endlessly and gorging on rich foods - whilst millions of his subjects exist at times on boiled grass - has a lot to do with his situation.

Time for a new ruler that doesnt constantly threaten the neighbors.

I expect to hear a range of conspiracy theories. Infighting, internecine issues? China wants a replacement? Russia wasn't getting its gas pipeline project on time?

One day, one fine day, Kim and the other damnable "leaders" who treat their people with contempt will answer to said people.

Which is why I hope he makes a full recovery.

He has no real successor other than perhaps some senior official in his regime. Either rate, if Kim dies or left incapacitated, it may me a rare moment where there could be a regime change and finally bring democracy to NK.

maybe there was more to that "nice note from Kim" story from Trump than we originally thought.

The lead article starts with SK downplays report regarding NK leader's health. But this comment from SK~South Korean officials raised doubts about the credibility of the sourcing and U.S. official saying that Washington was "monitoring intelligence" that Kim was in "grave danger after a surgery". The report did not specify what the intelligence was, brings up why bother reporting it in the first place until concrete evidence is presented. But of course logic makes no sense as much as common sense.

Even if he snuffs it I can't see anything changing - surely there's another Nork in waiting to eat all the pies ?

If the NK leader was to pass away due to complications from this procedure. what are the odds that Trump would try to take credit for his demise?

I also wonder if Kim has a secret child somewhere. I doubt they would not want his family dynasty to continue. I mean he assassinated his own brother to consolidate power unless the generals have a play for power.

Would his brother's children have claim to the country?

If he should die, I hope the Donald doesn’t jump on the first flight to Pyongyang and attend the funeral, and I pity whoever little rocket man’s doctor is.

maybe there was more to that "nice note from Kim" story from Trump than we originally thought.

Maybe it was a lie.

Both of them are delusional.

He's morbidly obese and drinks and smokes why wouldn't he have health problems? Who is the next psycho in line?

Fat Boy has heart disease, what a surprise!!!

Donny's better not despair, he still has Putin!!!!!

Overweight, heavy smoker, no exercise.... he´d be a prime target for Corona.

Kim has been absent on critical state-led events where his presence is most essential. Putting any conspiracy aside, it's now safe to say that something unexpected has happened to him.

There are unconfirmed reports just coming in from US sources that Tiny Kim is now "brain dead".

Watch this space, we will know for sure in 1-2 days.

yes several US news agencies reported he was dead. According to two unnamed US officials, 1 current and 1 former.

Lucky for Kim, those media sources were just CNN and NBC. who have now deleted their tweets.

If any legitimate sources, he could have been a goner.

"@NBCNews confirms and adds to the CNN scoop", its what the tweet said.

Now it says this:

I’ve deleted that last tweet out of an abundance of caution. Waiting on more info. Apologies.

Meanwhile NK people are rehearsing their uncontrollable fake crying

If he has signed out, it will be a tricky situation, because unlike his dad and granddad he did not groom a sucessor. So there will be an epic power struggle in the workers paradise, with an uncertain outcome. Could be the end of the regime.

I have just read an information titled "[correction] Source: Kim Jong Un Recently Received Heart Surgery" on the Daily NK.

This article speculated that after the heart surgery was carried out for numerous issues, such as "obesity, prolific smoking habits, and 'overwork.'" According to the medical team, Kim's condition was critical yet stable. It is interesting to note that before and after the operation, there are around 30 members of Kim's personal guard and other local security units watching over the venue (just in case and you can figure out).

With respect to his absence from an important event, the article indicated that the fear of being infected by the COVID 19 was the main reason. Other than that, it is hard to guess when you do not have a reliable source. I have seen how media around the world have frantically speculated many things about the absences of Xi Jinping in September 2012 and recently of the leader of Vietnam Nguyen Phu Trong in April 2019. In the end, both of them reappeared in good shapes and run their businesses as usual.

With respect to his absence from an important event, the article indicated that the fear of being infected by the COVID 19 was the main reason

But.... didn´t the NK government and media tell us consistently there is no Corona virus in NK? Go figure...

But.... didn´t the NK government and media tell us consistently there is no Corona virus in NK? Go figure...

@WilliB,

I agree with you that it is very difficult to trust any information from any Communist states particularly from China. According to the Daily NK on March 09, 2020, there were around 200 North Korean soldiers died from COVID 19 via China (see https://www.dailynk.com/english/sources-almost-200-soldiers-have-died-covid-19/.)

It is likely that someone in intelligence group was given false information to leak to CNN and the other liberal media. Just to see where it ended up. Because it was confirmed by two sources, one active and one former. So logically the active leaked it to the former, who leaked it to CNN.

If Kim is in fact dead, this would be something that the President would need to announce to the nation/the world. Not have it leaked and published on some fake news journalists Twitter feed as a "scoop".

Our country would likely want some time to get some things in order before letting everyone else know. So I would consider this leak likely treasonous and definitely harmful to our nation.

Our country would likely want some time to get some things in order before letting everyone else know.

The idea of "our country" on a Japan news thread is weird. I think we all know which country you mean, but why not be more specific.

(By the way, I never read CNN and NBC. Does that mean I'm on your side?)

Kim Jong Un's children are still too young to take the throne, so his only viable successor is his younger sister, whom he has never declared as an official successor. This could turn out to be a "Game of Thrones" like scenario where there could be a potential civil war among the sister, the children, and any senior regime officials, to gain power should Kim die.

Kim Jong Un's children are still too young to take the throne, so his only viable successor is his younger sister, whom he has never declared as an official successor. This could turn out to be a "Game of Thrones" like scenario where there could be a potential civil war among the sister, the children, and any senior regime officials, to gain power should Kim die.

@Mirai Hayashi,

Your supposition is interesting. In paper, Kim Yo-jong should be the heiress of the Kim dynasty in case Kim died. To date, Kim's younger sister has appeared to gain considerable trust from him, as personal advisor and assistant. Other than that, it is hard to know who the top three NK generals No Kwang Chol, Ri Yong Gil, and Kim Su Gil would want to support between Kim Yo-jong and Kim Jong Un's children who have yet to be officially mentioned in state media.