Mystery continues: Photos of Kim Jong

2024-05-21 13:34:59      点击：058

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un visits a pursuit assault plane group under the Air and Anti-Aircraft Division in the country's western region, in this photo released by North Korea's state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), April 12. Rumors have been mounting over Kim's physical condition as he has been absent from recent political events including a floral tribute ceremony at the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun in Pyongyang last Wednesday to commemorate the birth of his grandfather, the country's founding leader Kim Il-sung. KCNA-Yonhap

By Jung Da-min

North Korea's state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported Wednesday that the country's leader Kim Jong-un sent a letter to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to thank him for the message sent in recognition of the 108th birthday of Kim Il-sung, North Korea's founding leader.

Such reports on the North Korean leader's diplomacy activities are seen as usual routine in state media, but are receiving significant attention this time, as speculation has been mounting on Kim's physical condition, following recent reports of a suspected cardiovascular surgical procedure. While some claimed Kim's condition was improving after the suspected surgery, others claimed he was in serious condition.

Whether Kim had the surgery and whether he is in serious condition or is in recovery remains unknown, as North Korean media has not been featuring images of Kim in reports of his letter diplomacy with partner countries. Earlier on Monday, the KCNA also reported that Kim sent a congratulatory message to Cuban President Miguel Mario Diaz-Canel Bermudez.

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There were several cases in the past in which Kim had been out of the public eye, but speculations over his physical condition have mounted, especially due to his absence from a floral tribute ceremony at the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun in Pyongyang to commemorate the birth of his grandfather Kim Il-sung. It is the first time he has missed the celebration since he took power in 2012.

Cheong Wa Dae, however, said Tuesday that "there have been no unusual trends" regarding Kim's activities. An official with the Ministry of Unification on Thursday echoed the presidential office's stance.

"It is unusual that Kim did not attend the tribute at the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun, but we need more time to see what is going on," the official said. "When there were rumors that Kim Il-sung had been shot in 1986, North Korea showed images of him on state media instead of directly responding to the speculations. North Korea has never made an official response to such rumors on the death of its leader."

But voices from the National Assembly were different from the government. Rep. Yoon Sang-hyun of the main opposition United Future Party, the head of the National Assembly Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee, said Tuesday that the recent reinstatement of Kim Yo-jong, the powerful younger sister of Kim Jong-un, coupled with Kim's absence in recent political events were evidence that North Korea is undergoing an unusual situation.

"I understand a serious matter happened to Kim and it seems that he received cardiovascular surgery," Yoon said, adding that this is not from a governmental source but he heard it from a "most trustful" source in South Korea.

Tae Ku-min, a former senior North Korean diplomat who has been elected in the April 15 general election, said in a statement Tuesday that the personal condition of Kim and his family members are protected national secrets in the North and even high-ranking officials do not know such information.

"When Kim Il-sung died at 2 a.m. July 8 in 1994, no more than five people knew at that moment. When Kim Jong-il died in December 2011, North Korea announced his death after 51 hours and 30 minutes at noon on Dec. 19," Tae said. "But the responses from the North Korean state media on the rumors are noteworthy. On Jan. 7, Kim Jong-un made a public appearance just four days after the U.S. killed (Iranian major general Qasem) Soleimani to show his strong will to fight against the U.S. But it is quite unusual that North Korea is not showing any response when it has been over a week since such rumors have emerged."

U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff Vice Chairman Gen. John Hyten said Wednesday (local time) during a Pentagon press briefing that he assumes Kim is still in full control of his country's armed forces.