International Media Surprised by Kim Jong-un's Appearance... NYT Says "Mystery Remains"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Park Sun-mi] North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un, who had been at the center of various rumors including health issues and death reports, appeared in public after 20 days of absence, prompting media outlets worldwide to focus on the event and recall the previous rumors. Some quarters have noted that despite Kim’s appearance, lingering doubts remain, emphasizing the need for continuous monitoring of the situation.

On the 2nd, Chinese media quickly reported on Kim’s photos and recent status as he appeared in public after 20 days, despite the Labor Day holiday. The state-run Xinhua News Agency reported from Pyongyang that Kim attended the completion ceremony of the Suncheon Fertilizer Factory in South Pyongan Province on the previous day, May 1st (Labor Day), and published photos of Kim cutting the ribbon at the fertilizer factory’s completion, showing him in good health.

It also reported that Kim greeted everyone by waving his hand amid cheers from the construction workers at the site. The factory was described by the Korean Central News Agency as the first achievement since the 7th Central Committee’s 5th Plenary Meeting of the Workers’ Party of Korea, elevating the chemical industry to a new stage.

Major Japanese media also released reports stating that Kim, who had been rumored dead, appeared in good health. Kyodo News reported that Kim’s public activity was the first in 20 days and highlighted his health through photos of him cutting the ribbon and chatting with officials at the completion ceremony. Leading Japanese newspapers such as Yomiuri and Asahi also reported on Kim’s news through Seoul-based articles citing Korean Central News Agency and Korean Central Broadcasting.

BBC UK reported, "Kim, who was rumored dead, appeared at the Suncheon Fertilizer Factory completion ceremony looking surprisingly vigorous," adding, "There was no actual evidence for the death and health rumors, and South Korea also stated that no unusual activity related to North Korea was detected, but various rumors were generated and spread. Chinese social media also played a role in spreading the rumors."

The newspaper noted that various rumors about the North Korean leader have always existed, stating, "Realistically, only a few people have access to accurate information about Kim’s health, which means secrets are hard to leak, but it also means that the content of various rumors may not be accurate."

However, some media outlets view Kim’s appearance as having temporarily quelled the various rumors about his health and death, but still believe that doubts about Kim remain unresolved.

On the 1st (local time), The New York Times (NYT) reported, "North Korea’s top leader attended the completion ceremony of the Suncheon Fertilizer Factory in South Pyongan Province on Friday, May 1st (Labor Day)," adding, "This public appearance came after a series of unconfirmed reports suggesting he was seriously ill. Since other media could not directly observe the ceremony, the official report by Korean Central News Agency followed a familiar pattern: releasing content and photos a day after Kim’s attendance."

The report continued, "Letters and gifts continued to be sent in Kim’s name to foreign leaders and North Korean workers, but North Korea remained silent on any rumors. This silence fueled the rumors." It also stated, "Although Kim appeared in public, this report alone does not dispel doubts about why Kim did not pay respects at the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun, the mausoleum of his grandfather Kim Il-sung, on his birthday," adding, "The information gap surrounding North Korean leaders encourages the spread of misinformation."

CNN also commented, "The photos and reports of Kim’s attendance at the factory completion ceremony released by Korean Central News Agency cannot be independently verified for authenticity or the date of the photos." China’s Phoenix Net said regarding Kim’s public appearance, "All news about North Korea is full of variables and unknowns. What is needed is continuous attention and analysis."

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