Kim ‘gravely ill’ after surgery
Media say leader’s health deteriorated after cardiovascular surgery
SEOUL—SOUTH Korean media reported that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un underwent a cardiovascular procedure on April 12, while CNN said Washington had intelligence that he was in grave danger after surgery, both citing unnamed sources. Officials in Seoul and China doubted the reports, saying there were no indications of anything unusual happening in North Korea. Kim’s health poses an international concern.
SEOUL—SOUTH Korean and Chinese officials on Tuesday cast doubt on reports North Korean leader Kim Jong Un was ill after media outlets said he had undergone a cardiovascular procedure and was in “grave danger.”
Daily NK, a Seoul-based specialty website, reported late on Monday, citing one unnamed source in North Korea, that Kim was recovering after undergoing the procedure on April 12. The North Korean leader is believed to be about 36.
CNN cited a US official with direct knowledge of the matter as saying Washington was “monitoring intelligence” that Kim was in grave danger after surgery. Bloomberg quoted an unnamed US official as saying the White House was told that Kim took a turn for the worse after the surgery.
Report rejected
However, two South Korean government officials rejected the CNN report without elaborating on whether Kim had undergone surgery. The presidential Blue House said there were no unusual signs coming from the reclusive, nuclear-capable state.
Kim is the unquestioned leader commander of North of its Korea nuclear and arse- sole nal. He has no clear successor and any instability in the country could be a major international risk.
The state KCNA news agency gave no indication of the whereabouts of Kim in routine dispatches on Tuesday, but said he had sent birthday gifts to prominent citizens.
Not critically ill
An official at the Chinese Communist Party’s International Liaison Department, which deals with North Korea, told Reuters the source did not believe Kim was critically ill. China is North Korea’s only major ally.
Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang said Beijing was aware of reports about the health of Kim, but said it did not know their source, without commenting on whether it has any information
about the situation.
Daily NK said Kim had been admitted to hospital on April 12, just hours before the cardiovascular procedure, as his health had deteriorated since August due to heavy smoking, obesity and overwork.
It said he was now receiving treatment at a villa in Mount Myohyang resort, north of the capital Pyongyang.
“My understanding is that he had been struggling (with cardiovascular problems) since last August but it worsened after repeated visits to Mount Paektu,” a source was quoted as saying, referring to the country’s sacred mountain.
Accompanied by senior North Korean figures, Kim took two well-publicized rides on a stallion on the snowy slopes of the mountain in October and December.
Questioned
An authoritative US source familiar with internal US government reporting on North Korea questioned the CNN report that Kim was in “grave danger.”
Speculation about Kim’s health first arose following his absence from the anniversary of the birthday of its founding father and Kim’s grandfather, Kim Il Sung, on April 15.
On April 12, North Korean state media reported that Kim Jong Un had visited an airbase and observed drills by fighter jets and attack aircraft.