[E-Daily Reporter KWON HYE-ME ] Rumors are spreading through foreign media that North Korean State Affairs Commission Chairman Kim Jong-un has died after falling into a coma due to a cerebral hemorrhage. However, North Korean media have moved to dispel these rumors by publishing photos of Chairman Kim’s most recent public appearances.

According to reports on the 20th (local time) by the U.S. *New York Post* (NP) and the U.K.’s *The Sun* and *Daily Express*, claims have recently circulated primarily on social media (SNS) alleging that Chairman Kim suffered a severe cerebral hemorrhage and was urgently transported to a hospital in Beijing, China, and that his body was secretly repatriated to North Korea after his death.

Some posts even added that Kim Yo-jong, Vice Chairwoman of the Workers’ Party, had taken over power after Chairman Kim was urgently transported.

However, media outlets reported that “questions about the future of the reclusive North Korean regime are being raised once again,” while noting that “there is no verified evidence to support these claims.”

While the media outlet or individual who first raised the death rumors has not been identified, most foreign media outlets are citing a post on X (formerly Twitter) by She Wanjun, chairman of the China Democracy Party. She Wanjun is a Chinese pro-democracy activist and overseas dissident who, after participating in the 1989 Tiananmen Square democracy movement, has been advocating for the introduction of a multi-party system and political reform in China.

On the 18th, Xie Wanjun claimed on X, “A team of medical experts from Beijing Union Medical College Hospital was dispatched to North Korea to treat Chairman Kim, but due to North Korea’s poor medical conditions, Chairman Kim was transferred to Beijing.” He added, “However, because his condition was critical and the window for treatment had been missed, Chairman Kim died. His body was secretly transported back to North Korea, and the news of his death was covered up.”

On the 20th, Xie Wanjun also wrote on X, “Rumors are circulating that following Kim Jong-un’s death, power was not transferred to his daughter Kim Ju-ae, and that his younger sister Kim Yo-jong currently holds real power.” He added, “As soon as she seized power, Kim Yo-jong issued a warning broadcast to South Korea via loudspeakers and announced that she is considering a comprehensive enhancement of tactical strike capabilities.”

Subsequent reports appeared in the UK, the U.S., and India—including *The Times of India* and *LiveMint*—but these media outlets also failed to present objective evidence, such as medical records or eyewitness accounts, to support the claims.

Accordingly, North Korea’s Korean Central News Agency reported that Chairman Kim inspected a clothing and footwear exhibition in Pyongyang the previous day, accompanied by his wife Ri Sol-ju and daughter Kim Ju-ae. The released photos show Chairman Kim examining exhibits and conversing with officials, but it is difficult to verify when the photos and videos were taken.

Meanwhile, this is not the first time rumors of Chairman Kim’s death have surfaced. On April 15, 2020, speculation about his health spread after he failed to appear at the event marking Kim Il-sung’s birthday. On May 27, 2025, rumors circulated that Chairman Kim had lost consciousness while conducting on-site guidance in Wonsan, Kangwon Province, and may have died.

However, these death rumors were all merely unverified rumors of unknown origin, and South Korea’s National Intelligence Service has also drawn a clear line, stating that there is no basis for such speculation.

The reason such rumors about Chairman Kim’s death continue to surface is due to his personal “health risks.” According to a report by South Korea’s National Intelligence Service last September, Chairman Kim—who is 42 years old this year—stands approximately 170 cm tall and weighs about 140 kg, putting him at high risk for cardiovascular disease.

Furthermore, the NIS stated that it is closely monitoring the possibility of Chairman Kim Jong-un’s nicotine and alcohol dependence increasing, based on the import of foreign cigarettes, premium alcoholic beverages, and snacks.