Kim Jong-un Is Alive And Well Following Claims That He Is In A Coma And That His Sister Is Set To Take Power

North Korean Leader Kim Jong-un is alive and well. The report comes after a source claimed that the dictator was in a coma and close to death. Such claims have become common in recent times.

Kim was photographed chairing a meeting regarding the CoVid-19 pandemic with top North Korean officials, a photograph which was then published in North Korean media. The meeting was also said to have discussed a typhoon that is expected to soon hit the Korean peninsula.

Claims by a South Korean aide with inside knowledge of the country, Chang Song-min, that Kim is seriously unwell and that his sister is poised to take over the North Korean leadership, were widely reported in both Korean and international media.

Chang said:

"I assess him to be in a coma, but his life has not ended. A complete succession structure has not been formed, so Kim Yo-jong is being brought to the fore as the vacuum cannot be maintained for a prolonged period."

Similar reports, again made by Chang, in April and May, stating that Kim had died or was in hiding from the CoVid-19 pandemic, were shown to be false when he was later photographed at a North Korean fertiliser plant.

Reports about on-goings inside the hermit kingdom are almost always based on rumour and speculation due to the extreme secrecy within the county, a lack of independent media, as well as, outsiders who see a political advantage in undermining Kim's rule.

The most recent claim was certainly not believed by everyone, the South Korean news website Shinmoongo called Chang's claim totally absurd.

At present, it is unknown whether North Korea has experienced any Covid-19 cases. The tight borders on the nation suggest that it could have escaped infection, however, its close proximity and trade with China, where the pandemic began, mean that it would have been very lucky to have escaped entirely. North Korea has limited health infrastructure and a significant amount of the population suffer from malnutrition, meaning that should infection become widespread, it may be difficult to save lives and impose a successful quarantine.

The latest claims are part of a long-saga involving questions about Kim and the future of his nation.