The United States is monitoring intelligence that put forward that Kim Jong Un the supreme leader of North Korea is in danger following the surgery he had. Recently, the North Korean leader missed his Grandfather’s birthday on 15 April. This stirred suggestions and concerns about his health.
According to a UN official, worries about Kim’s health are credible, but there is a looming uncertainty about how severe his condition is. According to a South Korea based Newspaper, Daily NY, that focuses its publications on North Korea, the North Korea leader had a cardiovascular system procedure on 12 April as a result of excessive smoking, overwork, and obesity.
Kim is been taken care of at a villa in Hyangsan County. According to the news site, after the cardiovascular system procedure and ascertaining that Kim’s condition is getting better, some of the medical practitioners on 19 April returned back to Pyongyang while some stayed back to continue treating him to ensure he recovers fully.
A South Korean source revealed that Kim’s health is not a secret to top leaders in North Korea but none of them would independently confirm the publication of Daily NY about Kim’s health.
The Presidential Blue House in South Korea in a statement stated that there is nothing to confirm about Kim Jong Un’s condition and there are also no strange signs in North Korea following Kim’s health. The Unification Ministry and Defense Ministry in South Korea have given refused to comment on the situation also.
The National Security Council and Office of the Director of National Intelligence also withheld comments on the matter. The United States official has been reaching out to North Korean experts in a bid to gather information from them on contingency planning.
This, however, has been as difficult as getting a horse to pass the eye of the needle because of how North Korea is extremely discreet with information especially those connected to their leader. The country also has no free press. Analysts, however, are scavenging and searching for clues. Keeping close eyes on state media dispatches and watching propaganda videos.
Bruce Klingner, former CIA deputy division chief for North Korea stated that there have been several speculations about Kim and his Father’s health, most of which turned out to be eventually false. John Delury, professor at Yonsei University in Seoul also stated that the speculations about Kim’s health this time may also be wrong.
The President of the United States, Donald Trump disclosed that the United States and North Korea have a good relationship, he, however, wants them to increase their pay for the presence of the United State in their country. In-person negotiations following this are hereby placed on hold due to the break of the pandemic disease sweeping across the globe.
