Media once again talk about possible coma of Kim Jong Un

Media are once again discussing the possible coma of Kim Jong Un

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, according to the British newspaper The Sun, may have suffered a cerebral hemorrhage and fallen into a coma. The publication cites posts appearing on social networks claiming that the politician was allegedly taken to Beijing for emergency medical treatment. There is no official confirmation of this information. Similar rumors about Kim Jong Un's health are not emerging for the first time — every time he disappears from the public eye for a prolonged period.

According to The Sun, Kim Jong Un may have been sent to Peking Union Medical College in China. The publication's sources believe that treatment outside the DPRK was required due to the lack of necessary equipment and conditions in Pyongyang clinics.

Kim Jong Un last appeared in public on October 11, when he visited the National Defense Revolution Museum in Pyongyang.

Amid the new reports, North Korea analyst Benedict Rogers, in a comment to The Sun, recalled that similar claims had been made before. According to him, if the DPRK leader had died, the authorities would have organized public mourning events, and if he is alive, the country's leadership would soon provide visual proof.

A similar story took place in 2020. Back then, Kim Jong Un also vanished from sight for a time, after which talk of his coma and even death surfaced online. Later, these reports were refuted by his re-emergence in public.

The new wave of discussions regarding the North Korean leader's condition has once again raised the question of potential successors.

Analysts point to the leader's younger sister, Kim Yo Jong, as one of the main candidates for temporary leadership of the country. She holds influential positions in the DPRK's political system and regularly makes official statements on foreign policy and security issues. For instance, on Monday, October 19, she announced the possibility of deploying additional tactical weapons on the border with South Korea.

Another possible contender is considered to be Kim Jong Un's daughter, Kim Ju Ae, who is currently around 13 years old. In recent years, she has frequently accompanied her father to military and state events, including during his previous visit to China, fueling speculation that she is being groomed for the role of successor.

However, Kim Ju Ae has not been officially declared the heir. According to analyst estimates, in the event of unforeseen circumstances, Kim Yo Jong could temporarily lead the country until Kim Ju Ae comes of age.

At present, information regarding Kim Jong Un's critical condition remains unconfirmed social media posts. Official Pyongyang has not yet commented on these reports in any way.