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CNN, citing what he said was an anonymous United States official, reported that Washington was “monitoring intelligence” that Kim was “in grave danger” after undergoing surgery.
FILE: Kim has not made a public appearance since he chaired a meeting of the Workers’ Party political bureau on April 11 and inspected fighter jet drills at an air defense unit, which was reported by state media. 12th April. Image: AFP
SEOUL – A train that probably belongs to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has been seen in a tourist town in the east of the country, satellite photos reviewed by a US-based group of experts showed. USA, as speculation persists about his health.
The train was parked at a station reserved for the Kim family in Wonsan on April 21 and April 23, the respected website 38North said in a report released Saturday.
38North warned that the train’s presence “does not prove the whereabouts of the North Korean leader or indicate anything about his health.”
“But it does give weight to reports that Kim is staying in an elite area on the east coast of the country,” he said.
There has been a growing guess about Kim’s health since his notable absence from the April 15 celebrations for the birthday of his grandfather Kim Il Sung, the founder of the regime, the most important day in North Korea’s political calendar.
Kim has not made a public appearance since he chaired a Workers’ Party politbureau meeting on April 11 and inspected fighter jet drills at an air defense unit, state media reported on April 12.
Daily NK, an online media outlet primarily run by North Korean defectors, reported that Kim underwent a cardiovascular procedure earlier this month and was recovering at a villa in North Pyongan province.
Citing an unidentified source within the country, he said Kim, who is in her 30s, had urgently needed treatment due to smoking, obesity and fatigue.
South Korea, which is technically still at war with the North, has downplayed the report.
CNNCiting what he said was an anonymous United States official, he reported that Washington was “monitoring intelligence” that Kim was in “serious danger” after undergoing surgery.
But on Thursday, the President of the United States, Donald Trump, rejected reports that Kim was ill.
“I think the report was incorrect,” Trump told reporters, but declined to say when the last contact with him was.
“We have a good relationship with North Korea, as good as it can have,” he said.
Trump has met with Kim three times at a historic summit and has expressed admiration for him, although hopes have been dimmed to reach a comprehensive agreement.
Reporting from within the isolated North is notoriously difficult, especially anything to do with his leadership, which is among his best-kept secrets.
On Thursday, citing an unidentified government official, South Korean broadcaster SBS reported that Kim appeared to have been in Wonsan for at least the past four days and would soon return to public view.
The report added that the army was monitoring Kim’s train, which had been seen in Wonsan, while his personal jet, frequently used by Kim on his trips to Wonsan, remained in Pyongyang.
Kim’s previous absences from the public eye have sparked speculation about his health.
In 2014 he was out of sight for almost six weeks before reappearing with a cane. Days later, the Southern spy agency said he had undergone surgery to remove a cyst from his ankle.
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