"Reports of Kim Jong-un in Critical Condition After Surgery May Be Misinterpretations (Comprehensive)"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Park Sun-mi] Regarding the report by the US CNN broadcasting that North Korean State Affairs Commission Chairman Kim Jong-un fell into a critical condition after surgery, there is growing weight to the possibility that it is a false report.

On the 21st, a Beijing diplomatic source said, "The Daily NK report that Chairman Kim underwent cardiovascular surgery on the 12th may have been distorted, leading to CNN's report of Chairman Kim's critical condition," adding, "The CNN report citing US sources that Chairman Kim is in serious danger after surgery lacks sufficient basis, making it difficult to trust. It is understood that there are no signs of a critical condition."

Regarding Chairman Kim's absence from an important event, the source said, "This has happened in the past as well," noting that although he did not appear on the 15th for President Kim Il-sung's birthday (the Day of the Sun), there is insufficient basis to link this to health abnormalities since the top leader has previously missed important events.

Furthermore, the source added, "The Daily NK report that Chairman Kim underwent cardiovascular surgery has not yet been confirmed as fact," and "There are no unusual movements among North Korean officials in China."

On the same day, a Western news agency also reported, citing a Chinese Communist Party United Front Work Department official, that Chairman Kim is not currently in critical condition. The agency noted that although the official requested anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter, the United Front Work Department is the main Chinese institution communicating with North Korea, lending credibility to the possibility that Chairman Kim is not in a critical state.

Meanwhile, on the same day, US CNN reported, citing a US official, that the US government is monitoring information that Chairman Kim is in serious danger after surgery. The previous day, Daily NK reported that Chairman Kim underwent cardiovascular procedures on the 12th.