North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has appeared in photographs released by state media, challenging online claims that he had died after suffering a brain
haemorrhage. The images show him visiting a garment and footwear exhibition in Pyongyang, although the event could not be independently verified by foreign journalists.
The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) published the photographs on Tuesday, October 20, saying Kim had toured the exhibition on Monday. His wife, Ri Sol-ju, and daughter, Kim Ju-ae, reportedly accompanied him.
The images show Kim inspecting everyday products, including clothing and footwear. Their release comes as unverified claims about his health and the possibility of a leadership change have circulated online.
Wanjun Xie, a US-based Chinese dissident associated with the China Democracy Party, claimed on X that Kim had suffered a severe cerebral haemorrhage, fallen into a coma and been taken to Beijing for emergency treatment.
Xie further alleged that specialists from Peking Union Medical College Hospital had travelled to North Korea but failed to save Kim. He also claimed that China had sent 9,000 troops to Pyongyang amid concerns over succession.
However, no publicly verifiable medical records or independent evidence were presented to support these allegations. The reported death and Chinese troop deployment have not been independently established.
The photographs provide evidence of a reported public appearance, but they do not verify the wider claims about Kim’s health.
The rumours also fuelled speculation that Kim’s sister, Kim Yo-jong, had taken control of the country. However, a statement attributed to her about possible military action against South Korea does not establish that a transfer of power has taken place.
Reuters reported on October 19 that Kim Yo-jong had warned of possible renewed loudspeaker broadcasts and an expansion of tactical strike capabilities amid tensions along the border.
Kim’s health has been closely watched internationally because North Korea releases limited information about its leadership. On September 30, South Korea’s National Intelligence Service told lawmakers that Kim weighed around 140 kilograms and faced an increased risk of cardiovascular disease linked to severe obesity.
However, lawmakers who relayed the briefing said the agency had reported no significant signs of ill health.
Similar claims circulated in 2020, when North Korean defector Ji Seong-ho, then a South Korean lawmaker, said he was almost certain Kim had died after reportedly undergoing heart surgery. Kim later appeared in public, and Ji apologised for his inaccurate claim.
