"Even When Kim Jong-il Died, the Government Said 'No Unusual Activity'... They Should Just Admit They Don't Know"

Kim Jong-un, Chairman of the State Affairs Commission of North Korea [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoon Shin-won] Baek Seung-joo, a member of the Future Korea Party, expressed his position regarding the government's statement that there are "no unusual movements" concerning rumors about North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un's health issues.

On the 27th, Baek appeared on YTN Radio's 'Noh Young-hee's Start of a New Morning' and said, "There are numerous North Korean intelligence agencies, as well as the Ministry of Unification and the National Intelligence Service, yet the government has not provided a clear answer about Kim Jong-un's situation, who has not been seen for over half a month," adding, "The government needs to clearly disclose what it knows."

He continued, "Special Advisor Moon Jeong-in stated that Kim Jong-un is 'definitely alive and active,' but judging from North Korea's response and various assessments from related departments, I believe there is an abnormality in his health."

Regarding the government's announcement of "no unusual movements" at the time of Kim Jong-il's death, Baek said, "Kim Jong-il passed away on December 17, 2011, and North Korea announced his death 51 hours later at noon on the 19th," adding, "At that time, our government and the Ministry of Unification said there were 'no unusual movements.' It is the exact same wording as now."

He also pointed out, "Kim Jong-il's absence on the day of Kim Il-sung's death or on the anniversary of the founding of the North Korean army were unusual movements," and added, "Not appearing where he was supposed to appear is an unusual movement, and the government authorities should honestly admit if they do not know about these details."

Regarding reports from the U.S.-based North Korea specialist media 38 North that a train presumed to be Kim Jong-un's private train is waiting in Wonsan, North Korea, Baek explained, "The location of the private train could help identify Kim Jong-un's whereabouts, but it could also be used to prevent the location from being identified," adding, "Because the assumption is that Kim Jong-un is on the train, it is possible that the train is sent to Wonsan while he is not actually there, to hide the truth."

On claims from some quarters that Kim Jong-un is effectively deceased, Baek said, "It took about 50 hours to prepare countermeasures when Kim Jong-il died," and added, "Since it is impossible to hide a leader's death from the people, citizens, and the international community for a long time, the claim that he has died may not be accurate."

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