Ministry of Unification: "Kim Jong-un, Recent Exchange of Letters Between Leaders... Evidence of Routine Work"

Cautious Interpretation Urged on 'Kim Il-sung Memorial Absence' at the Start of Wi Joong-seol
"Unusual but Needs More Time to Observe"
Kim Jong-il Attended the Day of the Sun Ceremony Only 3 Times in 17 Years of Rule

The Blue House stated on the 21st that some media reports about North Korean State Affairs Commission Chairman Kim Jong-un's "health abnormality" are unfounded, saying, "No unusual movements have been identified inside North Korea so far." Earlier, the US CNN broadcast reported on the 20th (local time), citing a US official, that the US government is monitoring information that "Chairman Kim is in serious danger after surgery."
Photo by Korean Central News Agency on the 12th shows Chairman Kim Jong-un. It was reported that on the 11th, he presided over a Workers' Party Political Bureau meeting to discuss measures to respond to the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19).

Amid ongoing confusion over rumors about the health of North Korean State Affairs Commission Chairman Kim Jong-un, the Ministry of Unification stated on the 23rd that Kim has been exchanging letters with other heads of state until recently, which could be evidence that routine affairs are continuing.

A Ministry of Unification official told reporters on the same day, "There have been reports recently that Chairman Kim has been showing appreciation to exemplary citizens and delivering birthday gifts, and that correspondence between heads of state has also taken place," adding this information.

Chairman Kim sent congratulatory messages to the President of Syria on the 18th and to the President of Zimbabwe on the 19th. On the 20th, he expressed gratitude to workers who demonstrated patriotic dedication. On the 22nd, to mark the birthday of President Kim Il-sung (the Day of the Sun, April 15), he sent a reply message to the Syrian President who had sent a congratulatory message.

The Ministry of Unification also urged cautious interpretation regarding Kim’s first absence from paying respects at the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun on the Day of the Sun, which triggered the recent serious health rumors.

The official said, "It is true that Chairman Kim’s absence from the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun on the Day of the Sun is unusual," but added, "It is necessary to refer to and compare past cases."

He pointed out that during Kim Jong-il’s 17 years in power, he paid respects at the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun on the Day of the Sun only three times?in 2000, 2002, and 2008.

The official explained, "While this absence can be seen as unusual since it is the first since Chairman Kim took power, it is necessary to observe for a longer period before considering it a significant development."

The official also reported that the inter-Korean liaison office is operating normally without any unusual developments.

In January, North and South Korea temporarily closed the Kaesong Inter-Korean Joint Liaison Office to prevent and control the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). To replace this function, both sides established a separate telephone line between Seoul and Pyongyang and agreed to conduct liaison work at 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Unification approved the export of approximately 200 million won worth of quarantine supplies to North Korea, requested by a civilian organization promoting support for North Korea’s epidemic prevention.

The Ministry of Unification official told reporters, "Regarding COVID-19, we approved the export request from one organization on the 21st. The items include 20,000 protective suits worth about 200 million won."

The official added, "The funding for the supplies was raised independently by the supporting organization." The name of the organization was not disclosed at their request.

This approval is the second since the approval of about 100 million won worth of hand sanitizer exports on the 2nd. The Ministry of Unification did not disclose whether the organization exporting hand sanitizer and the one supporting protective suits are the same.

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