WP "Recent Reports on Kim Jong-un's Health Issues Are False Information and Blatant Speculation" (Update)

After DailyNK's First Report on the 20th Last Month, CNN Coverage
Kim Jong-un Death Rumors, Brain Death Speculation, and Sister's Succession Possibility Spread as 'Gossip Game'

North Korean State Affairs Commission Chairman Kim Jong-un attended the completion ceremony of the Suncheon Fertilizer Factory on May 1, Labor Day, according to Korean Central TV on the 2nd. / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Lim Juhyung] Some reports related to North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un's health rumors were described as false information and blatant speculative articles by the American media outlet 'The Washington Post' (WP).

On the 5th (local time), WP highlighted the reporting process surrounding the suspicions about Kim's health in an article titled "Kim Jong-un appears to be alive after all. Why did CNN and other media report he was dying?"

WP reported that the health rumors about Kim first emerged on the 20th of last month from 'Daily NK,' a media outlet covering North Korean news. The next day, CNN reported that "U.S. authorities are monitoring intelligence that Kim Jong-un is in serious danger after surgery," which spread the suspicions further.

Subsequently, reports surrounding Kim's health rumors exploded and turned into an international "gossip game," WP evaluated. In particular, there were reports focusing on rumors of Kim's death, brain death, and the possibility of power succession by his younger sister, Kim Yo-jong, the First Deputy Director of the Workers' Party.

Additionally, WP pointed out that former U.S. President Donald Trump responded to CNN's report by calling it "inaccurate" but said, "I know but can't say," which added to the uncertainty regarding the suspicions.

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