Japan has ‘some suspicions’ about the health of North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un after months of speculation about his well-being.
Defense Minister Taro Kono revealed his county’s concerns at a press conference on Thursday, the 70th anniversary of the start of the Korean War.
Kim was not seen for nearly three weeks in April, and there were some reports that the despot had died or was seriously ill after heart surgery.
He was finally photographed on May 1 at a new fertilizer plant in his country, but has since disappeared once again.
Japan has ‘some suspicions’ about the health of North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un after months of speculation about his well-being. Here he appears in his last public appearance on May 24.
Kono said, “We have some suspicions about his [Kim Jong-un’s] health ‘, reported the Sun.
He said there were “very strange movements” in North Korea, which were due to Kim being “trying not to get infected.” He added that the virus is “spreading across the country.”
North Korea has firmly asserted that it has not recorded a single case of the virus, but foreign experts are highly skeptical.
Kono declined to elaborate on what might be wrong with Kim and simply said, “I am not allowed to discuss intelligence issues.”
He added that the United States, Japan and other countries have been sharing information about him.
Amid uncertainty about Kim’s health, it was suggested that the dictator may have used a body double in his first public appearance after speculation that he had died.
He was photographed at a ribbon-cutting ceremony at a fertilizer plant outside Pyongyang in early May, his first appearance since April 11.
On April 15, he inexplicably missed a Sun Day celebration honoring his grandfather Kim Il-Sung, the founder of North Korea, and his father, Kim Jong Il.
His unprecedented absence sparked a wave of speculation about his health, particularly regarding the coronavirus pandemic.
Kim is known for his indulgent diet, his fondness for vintage claret, and his smoking habit, all of which would make him more susceptible to contagion.
Earlier this week, North Korea suspended its plans for further military action against the South, the country’s state media said.
The decision was made at a meeting of the country’s Central Military Commission, chaired by Kim.
A week earlier, her younger sister Kim Yo-jong threatened unspecified military action, shortly after she gave the order to blow up a joint liaison office.
Kim was not seen for nearly three weeks in April and amid reports that he had died. He was finally photographed on May 1 at a new fertilizer plant (above) in his country, but has since disappeared once again.
Young Kim had repeatedly warned South Korea to stop sending propaganda brochures across the border, before giving the order to destroy the office.
It had also threatened to send 12 million leaflets from North Korea to the South and deploy troops in the demilitarized zone.
Kim had also supervised the construction of propaganda loudspeakers on the border, some of which are now being dismantled.
While observers say it is not immediately clear why North Korea suddenly decided to ease tensions, the two Kim may be establishing a new “good cop, bad cop” dynamic.
The movements could also have been designed to boost Ms. Kim’s position in the country and prepare her for leadership, amid fears for her brother’s health.
Having made the public and the world at large aware of their new and active role within Northern leadership, the Hermit Kingdom may now be relaxing.
Elder Kim “took stock of the prevailing situation” before deciding to suspend military plans on Tuesday, state media said, without giving further details.
On Thursday, North and South Korea separately marked the 70th anniversary of the start of the Korean War with largely moderate commemorations amid the coronavirus pandemic.
South Korea issued a joint statement with the United States, which fought alongside it during the 1950-53 war triggered by a surprise invasion of North Korea.
Kim’s younger sister Kim Yo-jong threatened the South with unspecified military action, shortly after she gave the order to blow up a joint liaison office.
The young Kim spearheaded a recent escalation of tensions with South Korea, giving the order to blow up a joint liaison office last week.
The United States still stationes some 28,500 soldiers in South Korea in what North Korea considers a military threat.
In the statement, South Korean Defense Minister Jeong Kyeong-doo and United States Secretary of Defense Mark T. Esper said, “They pledge to strengthen and adapt the alliance to meet current and future challenges. “and urged North Korea to implement past disarmament promises.
Jeong and other South Korean military leaders then paid their respects at a national cemetery in Seoul, where some 130,000 war-related dead, mostly South Korean soldiers, are buried or honored.
North Korea reportedly blew up its joint liaison office with the South earlier this month, after Kim’s sister threatened military action against Seoul.
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