The key facts
- The Sun, citing social media, reported a brain hemorrhage and coma of Kim Jong-un, allegedly taken to China for treatment
- Professor Andrei Lankov called the rumors regularly recurring and exaggerated
- North Korean media published photos of Kim Jong-un at a clothing and footwear exhibition
The Sun's report and the Korea scholar's comment
The British tabloid The Sun reported, citing social media, that DPRK leader Kim Jong-un had suffered a brain hemorrhage, fallen into a coma, and been taken to China for treatment. The outlet also wrote that if the North Korean leader dies, power could temporarily pass to his sister Kim Yo-jong until his 13-year-old daughter Kim Ju-ae reaches an age allowing her to lead the country. Candidate of Historical Sciences, professor, and Korea scholar Andrei Lankov, in a comment to Gazeta.Ru, urged not to believe these rumors, especially when they are spread by an outlet with a dubious reputation.
Expert opinion
“Rumors about the death or serious illness of Kim Jong-un appear with enviable regularity every two to three years and, of course, each time turn out to be greatly exaggerated — although the North Korean leader does have health problems. Based on previous experience, the most sensible thing is not to react to such rumors. Especially when the initiative in spreading them is taken by outlets that are not very well informed and have a dubious reputation,” Lankov said.
DPRK's reaction
Against the backdrop of these reports, North Korean media published photographs of the DPRK leader at a clothing and footwear exhibition. It was also previously reported that Kim Jong-un was “buried” on social media, after which he attended the footwear exhibition.
