North Korean state media releases photos, debunking “Kim Jong Un death” rumors; BBC explains two key reasons why such rumors keep surfacing
Xie Wanjun, a Chinese dissident living in the United States, claimed—without providing any evidence—that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un had fallen into a coma following a brain hemorrhage, was transported to a hospital in Beijing, and subsequently died. However, North Korean state media released photographs hours later showing Kim Jong Un visiting an exhibition of clothing and footwear alongside his daughter; he appeared to be in good health. The BBC notes that because North Korea is one of the most closed-off nations in the world, verifying facts is difficult, which frequently fuels speculation—to the point that rumors regarding Kim Jong Un’s health have become almost routine.
Xie Wanjun has a history of disseminating unverified information, including a false claim that Chinese President Xi Jinping had died. In this instance, he alleged that Kim Jong Un suffered a severe brain hemorrhage and—due to a lack of adequate medical facilities in North Korea—was taken to Beijing for treatment. He further claimed that after Kim died, his body was secretly transported back to North Korea, with authorities continuing to conceal his death.
While it is impossible to determine exactly when the photographs of Kim Jong Un, his daughter Kim Ju-ae, and accompanying officials were taken, the BBC points out that a sudden deterioration in Kim’s health would likely trigger observable signs outside of North Korea—such as tightened border security by China or increased activity around North Korean diplomatic missions. North Korean defectors in South Korea often receive information through informal networks along the Chinese border, yet no unusual activity has been reported to substantiate these rumors. Furthermore, South Korean intelligence officials informed Yonhap News Agency that they have no information to support such claims.
Similar rumors have surfaced in the past. In 2020, a prominent North Korean defector claimed to be “99% certain” that Kim Jong Un had died following cardiovascular surgery; however, Kim made a public appearance shortly thereafter, effectively debunking the claim.
Why do such rumors persist? One reason is the issue of succession. The Kim family has ruled North Korea for three generations. Kim Il Sung spent decades grooming his son, Kim Jong Il, to succeed him; by the time Kim Il Sung passed away in 1994, the succession plan was already firmly established, allowing Kim Jong Il to take power smoothly. In contrast, after Kim Jong Il suffered a stroke in 2008, his youngest son, Kim Jong Un, was rapidly promoted and confirmed as his successor before his father’s death in 2011. Even then, it took Kim Jong Un several years to consolidate his power, purge rivals, and eliminate potential threats.
Succession plans following Kim Jong Un are far less clear. South Korean intelligence agencies believe he may be grooming his daughter, Kim Ju Ae, to succeed him; she has appeared with increasing frequency at major events and military displays. However, Kim Ju Ae is believed to be only 13 years old and has not been officially designated as his successor. Furthermore, North Korea has never been led by a woman, and her youth could leave her at a disadvantage in any power struggle. These uncertainties have made rumors regarding Kim Jong Un’s health a subject of intense scrutiny.
Another reason for this concern is that Kim Jong Un faces genuine health risks. The Kim family has a history of heart disease and strokes, and Kim Jong Un is significantly overweight and a heavy smoker. South Korea’s National Intelligence Service has repeatedly warned that his lifestyle habits increase his risk of cardiovascular disease.
Any major health crisis involving Kim Jong Un could trigger complex issues, such as the question of who would control North Korea’s nuclear arsenal and the potential for political instability. Could a power struggle prompt hardliners to take aggressive action? Might unrest lead to a refugee crisis along the border with China? These questions are a source of concern not only for Beijing and Seoul but also for Washington, which maintains a presence of approximately 28,000 troops in South Korea.
Intelligence agencies monitor Kim Jong Un closely to prepare for any sudden developments. Yet, North Korea remains an “information black hole,” making it a frequent target for inaccurate reporting. Only a very small number of people have regular access to Kim Jong Un, and even intelligence agencies struggle to obtain reliable information; much of what emerges can only be classified as “unconfirmed” or “highly likely to be true.” There is also suspicion that the North Korean regime itself may deliberately leak misleading information to obscure the true situation within the country.