Kim Jong Un appears in public as death rumours spread

North Korea’s secrecy, succession uncertainty and unverified claims continue to fuel speculation about the leader’s health.

Rumours about North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s death have resurfaced after a Chinese dissident based in the United States claimed that the 42-year-old had died following a brain haemorrhage.

However, North Korean state media subsequently published photographs showing Kim inspecting a clothing and footwear exhibition alongside his daughter, Kim Ju Ae, and senior officials, casting doubt on the claims.

According to Yonhap News Agency and NK News, the allegations originated from Wanjun Xie, who identifies himself as chairman of the Chinese Democratic Party.

He claimed that Kim had fallen into a coma, been transferred to Beijing for emergency treatment and later died, with his body secretly returned to North Korea.

Xie provided no verifiable evidence to support his allegations.

South Korean intelligence officials also said they had received no information corroborating the claims, Yonhap reported on October 20.

The latest episode highlights the difficulties of obtaining reliable information about North Korea, one of the world’s most secretive countries.

Limited access to independent reporting and the government’s tight control over information create an environment in which speculation can spread rapidly.

Similar rumours circulated in 2020, when Kim disappeared from public view for several weeks, prompting reports that he was seriously ill following heart surgery.

However, he reappeared at a public event in May that year, undermining the speculation.

The BBC and Yonhap reported that South Korean intelligence had found no evidence supporting claims of serious illness or surgery.

Another factor behind recurring rumours is uncertainty surrounding North Korea’s political succession.

Kim inherited power in 2011 following the death of his father, Kim Jong Il, after a relatively short period of preparation.

His own death or sudden incapacitation could create uncertainty over leadership in a nuclear-armed state.

South Korea’s National Intelligence Service assessed in April 2026 that Kim’s daughter, Ju Ae, was being positioned as his potential successor, according to Reuters.

However, questions remain over how a future transition would unfold and whether she would face opposition within the country’s powerful political and military establishment.

Kim’s health has also attracted international attention because of reported concerns about his weight and smoking habits.

Nevertheless, speculation about possible health risks does not establish that he is seriously ill.

Any sudden leadership crisis could have significant implications for regional security, including North Korea’s nuclear weapons programme and relations with South Korea, China and the United States.

The latest photographs offer strong evidence against claims that Kim had already died, although North Korean state media cannot independently verify every aspect of his health.