Despite 'Critical Condition Rumors,' North Korea Further Hides Kim Jong-un's Appearance

Silence of North Korean Media on the 22nd

On the 11th, North Korea held a Workers' Party Political Bureau meeting chaired by Chairman Kim Jong-un to discuss measures for responding to the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), the Korean Central News Agency reported on the 12th.

As global confusion continues over rumors of North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un's critical condition, North Korean media remained silent on the 22nd.

Since presiding over the Workers' Party Political Bureau meeting on the 11th, Chairman Kim has not appeared in any public activities. The only updates on his status have been indirect, such as sending birthday tables and thanks to exemplary citizens or sending congratulatory messages to foreign leaders.

On this day, the external propaganda outlet Meori reported that "a centenarian in Hamhung City received a birthday table filled with Kim Jong-un Comrade's affectionate grace."

Earlier, on the 21st, the North Korean state media Korean Central News Agency reported that "(Chairman Kim) sent birthday tables to former advisor Ri Sin-ja of the Pyongyang City Rural Management Committee and researcher Ri Si-heup of Kim Chaek University of Technology."

The date of the birthday table delivery and related photos were not disclosed.

The Workers' Party organ Rodong Sinmun had consistently featured articles about Chairman Kim on its front page recently, but on the 22nd, even those were absent.

The newspaper reported on the 18th that Chairman Kim sent a congratulatory message to the President of Syria, and on the 19th, that he sent one to the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe.

On the 20th, it conveyed that Chairman Kim "expressed thanks to workers and officials who demonstrated patriotic dedication," and on the 21st, that he sent a congratulatory message to the President of Cuba.

However, on the 22nd, the front page was filled only with editorials emphasizing self-reliance and articles promoting economic construction and development.

North Korea has traditionally showcased the leader's health and presence by making public appearances during rumors of his health issues, but this time, he has instead further concealed himself.

Future United Party elected lawmaker Tae Yong-ho said, "It is very unusual that North Korea is showing no response to reports about the leader's health."

Since South Korea, the United States, and even China are refraining from making definitive statements about Chairman Kim's condition, ongoing confusion seems inevitable until he appears publicly.

However, there is a precedent of Chairman Kim going into hiding for about 40 days, so cautious observation of North Korean developments is the prevailing view.

In September 2014, Chairman Kim did not attend the 2nd session of the 13th Supreme People's Assembly and skipped his annual visit to the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun on October 10. Rumors circulated that he had fallen into a brain-dead state.

But after about 40 days, Chairman Kim appeared publicly during an on-site inspection of the Pyongyang Scientist Residential District, dispelling the health rumors. At that time, South Korea's National Intelligence Service revealed that Chairman Kim had undergone surgery to remove a cyst on his ankle during the period he was out of sight.

The Blue House stated on the 21st that some media reports about North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un's "health abnormalities" are unfounded, saying, "No unusual developments have been identified within North Korea so far." Earlier, the US CNN network reported on the 20th (local time), citing US officials, that the US government is monitoring information that "Chairman Kim is in serious danger after surgery."
The photo shows Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un as reported by the Korean Central News Agency on the 12th. It was reported that Kim Jong-un inspected the pursuit attack aircraft regiment under the Western District Air and Anti-Aircraft Corps.

Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump said on the 21st (local time) regarding rumors about Chairman Kim's health, "We don't know."

At a public briefing at the White House that day, President Trump said, "I have had a very good relationship with him," and while acknowledging that if the reports were true, it would be a very serious condition, he added, "But I hope he is doing well."

When asked about North Korea's succession structure and hierarchy, he said, "I don't want to ask him that. I haven't asked him that," and added, "It's not my intention to tell you that. But I hope he does well."

Regarding the CNN report on the health rumors, he said, "No one has confirmed that," and cautioned against putting too much trust in CNN's report when it was released.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.