Taiwan Intelligence Official Says "North Korea's Kim Jong-un Is Sick"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Bu Aeri] Amid rumors about the health issues of North Korean State Affairs Commission Chairman Kim Jong-un, who has recently not been seen in public, a senior official from Taiwan's National Security Bureau (NSB), equivalent to the country's intelligence agency, reportedly said that Chairman Kim is ill, according to Taiwanese media on the 1st.

According to local media such as Liberty Times, NSB Director Chiu Kuo-cheng made this statement during a briefing to the Legislative Yuan's Foreign and National Defense Committee the previous day.

Director Chiu initially hesitated, saying "Because he is sick" in response to a question from DPP legislator Chai Si-ying about Chairman Kim's health status.

However, when legislator Chai asked again whether it was certain that Chairman Kim was ill, Director Chiu replied, "That is correct."

Regarding additional questions about whether there were any unusual movements in the military units of South Korea, North Korea, Japan, or the United States, Director Chiu stated that no special activities were observed.

Furthermore, in response to DPP legislator Wang Ding-yu's question about whether "Chairman Kim still holds power," he answered, "There is nothing unusual (in North Korean power)."

When further questions continued, he said, "The NSB has more information than external sources, but due to concerns about exposing information sources, unofficial reports will be made by relevant departments rather than here."

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