North Korea insists leader Kim is okay
Print Edition
THERE is nothing wrong with the health of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, an official said during a rare visit to South Korea, after speculation of a debilitating illness and even rumors of a coup in Pyongyang.
Kim has not been seen in public for more than a month — an unexplained absence that loomed large over the surprise visit on Saturday by a trio of his top officials and closest aides.
South Korean Unification Minister Ryoo Kihl-jae, who held talks with the delegation, said yesterday that one member, Kim Yang Gon, had insisted the young leader had no medical issues. “There is nothing wrong with the health of Secretary Kim,” he quoted Kim Yang Gon as saying.
Kim Yang Gon heads a ruling party department in charge of South Korea-related affairs, and his reported comment was the first by a senior official on Kim Jong Un’s wellbeing.
“Given his tone, here were remarks sufficient to believe that Kim Jong Un has no problem with his health,” Ryoo said.
At the same time, no explanation was provided for why Kim had dropped from public view since he was last seen on September 3 at a music concert.
Saturday’s delegation was led by the vice chairman of the North’s powerful National Defense Commission, Hwang Pyong So. Ryoo said Hwang had asked him to deliver a “heartfelt greeting” from Kim Jong Un to South Korean President Park Geun-hye, but there was no specific message from Kim.
Before Kim dropped out of sight, footage shown on state TV had shown him walking with a pronounced limp. Kim, said to be 30 or 31, is a heavy smoker and has gained weight since taking over as paramount leader following the death of his father Kim Jong Il in 2011.
Prior to Kim Yang Gon’s comment, the only word from the North had been a media report that Kim was in some “discomfort.” Kim’s failure to attend a rare second session of the North’s parliament last month ramped up the speculation that he was seriously ill or injured.
Sources and medical experts cited by the South Korean media suggested he might be suffering from gout, diabetes, or high blood pressure — or all three.
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