Will Kim Jong-un execute his sister? Reports claim he faked his death to expose her ambitions
An expert on North Korea has said Kim Jong-un may have deliberately faked his own death in a bid to expose traitors in his inner circle, which could now result in a series of killings - even the execution of his own sister, who was touted to be his successor.
Kim put an end to weeks of speculation behind his disappearance after a state-run media outlet released photos and videos of his recent visit to a fertilizer factory - thereby confirming he is alive and well.
Several outlets claimed that the 36-year-old leader had passed away or was left in a vegetative state following a botched heart surgery after he was missing last month from the birth anniversary celebrations of Kim Il Sung, the founder of North Korea and his late grandfather.
James Morrow, a reporter for Sky News Australia, told his viewers that Kim had most likely pulled a "classic Stalinist maneuver" by faking his own demise to expose any traitors that he may have in his inner circle.
"What has probably gone on here that the rumors of his demise were greatly exaggerated," Morrow said. "He decided to do this, lay low, and see how things broke power-wise, and see who tried to take power in the event of his actual demise."
"I suspect we will see some purges in North Korea pretty soon," he added.
Kim Jong-un is known to have ordered the killings of several North Korean officials who went against him. According to a report by The Times, the dictator had already executed over 70 officials by 2015.
Amid rumors of his death, a number of potential successors were named and discussed -- including his sister Kim Yo-jong. Kim has reportedly spent years cleansing the ranks of his regime by exterminating challengers, even if they were family members.
"He's always had this very vindictive pattern of showing his strength by killing people. It sends a clear message," University of Essex Professor Natasha Lindstaedt told The Mirror. "The military has to keep him happy. The smallest thing is perceived as disloyalty."
Experts are now suggesting that Kim wouldn't hesitate to execute his own sister, considering her popularity and influence in North Korea.
"Any fear of a coup plot would mean he'd come back with a vengeance," Lindstaedt opined, claiming that Kim's sister is now in a highly "precarious position."
The professor had previously warned the outlet that Kim Yo-jong could be even more ruthless than her dictator brother is rumored to have been throughout his eight-year reign.
“If she became the supreme leader the same would apply to her and she would become god-like and every portrayal of her would do the same thing," Lindstaedt said. “It is possible she will adopt an even harder line than her brother in dealing with the rest of the world because of the level of poverty. There is nothing else – it is all they have. I do believe she is as tough as her brother and she has been very visible in recent times."
Kim Yo-jong, a computer science graduate, is the fifth and youngest child of the late Kim Jong-il, who was succeeded by her brother. She has shared a rather close bond with her brother, and comes from a life of luxury just like him -- something that is alien to most of the country's populace.