Kim Jong Un death rumours dismissed as North Korea publishes new photos
Pyongyang publishes pictures of the supreme leader visiting a clothing expo after unverified social media claims that he suffered a fatal brain haemorrhage.
North Korea has released photographs of leader Kim Jong Un touring a light industry exhibition, countering viral social media rumours that claimed he had suffered a fatal brain haemorrhage.
The unverified claims gained traction online over the weekend, alleging the 42-year-old leader had fallen into a coma and died after being rushed to Peking Union Medical College Hospital in Beijing for emergency treatment. Without addressing the rumours directly, North Korean state media released images showing Kim inspecting footwear and women's clothing alongside party officials.
According to the Korean Central News Agency, Kim toured a garment and footwear venue on Monday. Photographs published by state outlets showed him gesturing with outstretched arms while speaking emphatically, bending forward to examine a small pink shoe, and handling the sleeve of a display coat. The images have not been independently verified, and it remains uncertain precisely when they were taken.
Where the rumours started
The claims circulated widely after Wanjun Xie, a US-based Chinese dissident linked to the China Democracy Party, published a series of posts on X. Xie claimed that a team of medical specialists from Beijing had travelled to Pyongyang to treat Kim following a severe cerebral haemorrhage, that Kim later died in China, and that Beijing had deployed 9,000 troops to the border amid succession fears.
None of the claims were accompanied by medical documents, official statements, or independently verifiable evidence. Similar unfounded death rumours have surfaced repeatedly in recent years whenever Kim disappears from public view for several weeks.
Before the newly released exhibition photos, Kim had last appeared in public on 11 October, when state media reported him visiting a new defence exhibition in Pyongyang accompanied by his young daughter, Kim Ju Ae.
Scrutiny over Kim's health
Kim's physical condition has long drawn intense scrutiny from foreign intelligence agencies. On 30 September, South Korea's National Intelligence Service briefed lawmakers that Kim weighed approximately 140 kilograms (around 309 pounds) at an estimated height of 170 centimetres.
| Measure | NIS assessment | Health context |
|---|---|---|
| Estimated weight | ~140 kg (309 lbs) | Severe obesity |
| Estimated height | 170 cm (5 ft 7 in) | Below average for weight |
| Risk profile | Elevated cardiovascular risk | Family history of heart disease, smoking |
| Recent mobility | Ran up stairs on destroyer | NIS reported no acute crisis |
Despite the elevated risk of cardiovascular illness tied to his weight and smoking habits, South Korean intelligence officials maintained that they had detected no acute signs of physical incapacity. Analysts also pointed out that previous deaths of North Korean leaders — including Kim's father, Kim Jong Il, in 2011 — were marked by immediate state-managed public mourning and broadcasts, none of which occurred in Pyongyang this week.
Key numbers
| What | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Reported weight of Kim Jong Un | 140 kg (309 lbs) | South Korea's National Intelligence Service |
| Date of prior confirmed public appearance | 11 October | Korean Central News Agency |
| Unsubstantiated Chinese troop deployment claim | 9,000 troops | Wanjun Xie |
In this story
| Name | Role in the story |
|---|---|
| Kim Jong Un | Supreme leader of North Korea and subject of health rumours. |
| Korean Central News Agency | North Korean state news service that released the exhibition photos. |
