Korea Leader, Kim Jong-un, the most feared person on earth, is dangerously close to death, after being in a vegetative state for days, following a botched heart surgery operation.
Reports from South Korean outlets suggested that Kim – who is considerably overweight – underwent heart surgery on April 12 and was seriously ill, though government officials in the country responded that intelligence services had detected “nothing to confirm” the rumours.
The claims come as Chinese medical experts are reportedly sent to treat the North Korean despot, who has not been seen in public for two weeks.
He is thought to have been staying at his exclusive private villa on North Korea’s east coast before taking ill
Speculation began about Kim’s health after he failed to appear at an important celebration to mark the birthday of Kim Il-Sung, his grandfather and the founder of the country.
He had last been spotted four days prior at a meeting with government officials.
Weekly Japanese newspaper Shukan Gendai said Kim had been left in a vegetative state by the operation.
Shijian Xingzou, vice director of Beijing-backed broadcaster Hong Kong Satellite Television, has also state on social media site Weibo that a “very solid source” had told her that Kim had died, though did not give any further details.
UNCERTAINTY AROUND SUCCESSOR
The uncertainty around Kim’s health has sparked discussion of what his death could mean for North Korean, with many citing his sister as a possible successor.
Experts have also warned that the power vacuum left could result in an ugly civil war involving rival military units within the North Korean army.
Speaking to Reuters, a South Korean government source reiterated that their intelligence was that Kim was still alive and should be making an appearance soon.
An official familiar with U.S. intelligence said that Kim was known to have health problems but they had no reason to conclude he was seriously ill or unable eventually to reappear in public.
President Trump, who met Kim in 2018, also sought to downplay earlier reports of his poor health.
“I think the report was incorrect,” he told reporters, though he declined to say if he had been in touch with North Korean officials.
