NORTH KOREA’S LEADER KIM JONG-UN
NORTH KOREA’S LEADER KIM JONG-UN

North Korea’s leader missed celebrations on the country’s most important holiday, prompting media speculation.

Several outlets have been reporting he may in critical condition following heart surgery.

South Korean online newspaper Daily NK on Tuesday cited one source in North Korea, who claimed that Kim Jong Un – who is thought to be in his mid-30s – was undergoing treatment after a reported cardiovascular system procedure on April 12. Daily NK specializes in news from North Korea. 

Speculation started when Kim did not make an appearance at the celebration of his late grandfather and state founder Kim Il Sung’s birthday celebration on April 15, although it is the secretive east Asian country’s most important holiday. Kim’s last public appearance was at a meeting of the ruling Workers’ Party on April 11.

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South Korea’s presidential office on Tuesday issued a statement saying there was “no unusual activity” to be detected in North Korea, after reports that Kim Jong Un was in a fragile condition after heart surgery.

“We have no information to confirm rumors about Chairman Kim Jong Un’s health issues that have been reported by some media outlets,” said South Korea’s presidential Blue House.

South Korea’s presidential office on Tuesday issued a statement saying there was “no unusual activity” to be detected in North Korea, after reports that Kim Jong Un was in a fragile condition after heart surgery.

“We have no information to confirm rumors about Chairman Kim Jong Un’s health issues that have been reported by some media outlets,” said South Korea’s presidential Blue House.