UNVERIFIED claims that North Korean leader Kim Jong-un suffered a brain haemorrhage, fell into a coma and was secretly taken to China for treatment have circulated on social media, with British tabloid The Sun also reporting on the allegations.
However, there has been no credible independent evidence to substantiate the claims and neither North Korea nor China has officially confirmed that Kim was hospitalised.
According to The Sun, the rumours suggest that Kim was transferred to Peking Union Medical College Hospital in Beijing for emergency treatment.
Some social media users have gone further, claiming that the North Korean leader has died, but no verifiable evidence has been provided to support those assertions.
What is known so far
Kim was last seen in public on Oct 11, when he visited a defence museum in Pyongyang. North Korean state media subsequently published photographs of the visit.
On Oct 19, however, North Korean state media released further photographs showing Kim attending a garment and footwear exhibition, providing evidence of a more recent public appearance. The images did not directly address the rumours about his health.
Separately, South Korea’s National Intelligence Service reportedly told lawmakers on Sept 30 that Kim weighed about 140kg but had no notable health problems at the time. This assessment does not establish his current medical condition.
Previous rumours raise questions over latest claims
Speculation about Kim’s health is not new. In 2020, his prolonged absence from public view fuelled reports that he was seriously ill or had died.
He later reappeared in public and the rumours proved unfounded.
North Korea’s secrecy surrounding its leadership makes independent verification of such claims difficult.
Analysts have reported that a major development involving the country’s leader could be accompanied by official announcements or public mourning, although the absence of such signs alone cannot establish his condition.
For now, the claims that Kim suffered a brain haemorrhage, fell into a coma or was taken to China for treatment remain unverified.
Further clarity would depend on credible independent reporting or official information from Pyongyang or Beijing.