Russia Sends Congratulatory Telegram to Kim Jong-un Amid 'Serious Condition' Rumors... Kim's Dedicated Train Spotted Again in Wonsan

North Korean Media Continues Reporting on Official Activities Including Correspondence Exchange
Unification Ministry Indicates "Kim Jong-un's Normal State Affairs Execution"
38 North Reports "Kim Jong-un's Private Train Stops at Wonsan"

On the 12th, a photo of Chairman Kim Jong-un was reported by the Korean Central News Agency.

Amid ongoing rumors about the health issues of North Korean State Affairs Commission Chairman Kim Jong-un, North Korean media reported on the 30th that the leader of Russia's Liberal Democratic Party sent a congratulatory message to Chairman Kim. This report of the congratulatory message suggests that Kim is carrying out state affairs normally, drawing attention as Kim’s dedicated train was once again spotted in Wonsan.

The Workers' Party of Korea's official newspaper, Rodong Sinmun, reported on the same day that "Vladimir Zhirinovsky, leader of Russia's Liberal Democratic Party, sent a congratulatory message to Chairman Kim on April 24 to commemorate the first anniversary of the summit between Chairman Kim and Russian President Vladimir Putin." The Liberal Democratic Party is a far-right nationalist party in Russia. The rumors about Kim’s critical condition began around the 20th, but regardless of this, the Russian side calmly sent the congratulatory message to Kim.

North Korean media continue to report on Kim Jong-un’s whereabouts through exchanges of letters, statements, and other communications, including the congratulatory message.

On the 28th, Kim Yeon-chul, Minister of Unification, appeared before the National Assembly’s Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee and said, "North Korean media continue to report on Chairman Kim’s work-related activities, suggesting that he is carrying out state affairs normally."

He explained, "Reports have been made on exchanges of letters between leaders in Kim’s name, delivery of appreciation and birthday gifts, and a statement by the Director of the Foreign Ministry’s External Information Department following U.S. President Trump’s mention of a ‘personal letter’ (April 19)."

The fact that Kim’s dedicated train has been continuously spotted in Wonsan also challenges the rumors about his health condition.

Train stopped near the Wonsan villa on the 29th

The U.S.-based North Korea specialist media outlet 38 North reported that the train presumed to be Kim’s was seen stationary at a train station in Wonsan, Gangwon Province, in satellite images taken on the 29th.

38 North stated, "The presence of the train does not prove Kim Jong-un’s whereabouts or suggest anything about his health," adding, "While the train’s presence is clear, it is not possible to determine from the photos alone whether this train belongs to Kim or if he was on board when it arrived."

However, they noted that this train station was installed for exclusive use by Kim’s family, which supports multiple reports that Kim has been staying in the Wonsan area.

They further explained that during the reported periods over the past 12 months when Kim was said to be in Wonsan, satellite images showed the train at this station at least twice, including in July and November of last year.

Earlier, on the 25th, 38 North had reinforced observations of Kim’s stay in Wonsan by reporting that the train, which was not present in satellite images on the 15th, was observed in photos taken on the 21st and 23rd.

On the 29th, NK News, another U.S.-based North Korea specialist media outlet, analyzed satellite images near Kim’s Wonsan villa and reported, "Boats frequently used by Kim along the Wonsan coast have been operating throughout this month," adding, "The movement of Kim’s luxury boats suggests that he may be in Wonsan."

Meanwhile, rumors about Kim’s health have intensified after he disappeared from North Korean media reports following his chairing of the Workers' Party Political Bureau meeting on the 11th and his absence from the commemorative visit to the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun on the 15th, the birthday of President Kim Il-sung.