Baek Seung-ju: "Government said 'No unusual activity' even at Kim Jong-il's death... There must have been health issues"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] Baek Seung-ju, a North Korea expert and member of the Future Korea Party, stated that he "judges there to be a problem" with the health condition of North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un. Regarding the government's statement that there are 'no unusual movements' concerning Kim, he pointed out, "The government also said 'no unusual movements' at the time of the death of former Supreme Leader Kim Jong-il."

On the 27th, Baek appeared on YTN Radio's 'Noh Young-hee's Start of a New Morning' and said, "When Kim Jong-il died on December 17, 2011, North Korea announced it at 12:00 on the 19th, but at that time, our government also used the exact same wording, 'no unusual movements.'"

Baek said, "The government says there are no unusual movements, but this in itself is unusual," adding, "The fact that he did not appear on the day of Kim Il-sung's death or on the anniversary of the founding of the North Korean army is an unusual movement. It would be honest for the government authorities to admit that they do not know the details."

He continued, "Previously, Kim Jong-un has been absent for periods of 20 days or 40 days. Some experts think this long absence might be a political video strategy to attract attention. Although there is debate about how serious his health condition is, judging from North Korea's reactions and various assessments from related departments, I believe there is an abnormality in his health."

Baek said, "It is not something to be ashamed of that the government does not know well. North Korea has its characteristics, and without HUMINT, it is understandable that we do not know well," adding, "Due to restrictions on information access about North Korea, it seems the government is not well informed, and because they lack confidence, they might have used Special Advisor Moon Jeong-in to make this announcement." This refers to Special Advisor Moon's recent interview with Fox News in the U.S., where he said Kim Jong-un is "alive and well."

Regarding the merger between the Future Korea Party and the United Future Party, Baek said, "Party leader Won Yoo-chul has made it clear, and most of our current lawmakers and elected members consider the merger a foregone conclusion," adding, "Whether the United Future Party is under a provisional leadership committee or holds a party convention, once the system stabilizes, the procedure for the merger will be discussed, which is the view of most of our party members."

On the controversy surrounding the United Future Party's 'Kim Jong-in provisional leadership committee,' Baek said, "Isn't it strange if there is no controversy? Some support Kim Jong-in as the provisional leader, and some oppose it. It is natural and should be noisy, even more so," adding, "As a public figure appointed as the provisional leader, it is neither timely nor appropriate to say that anyone within the party has or does not have the qualifications to be a presidential candidate."

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