North Korean defectors who speculated over Kim Jong-un's ill health and death apologize after backlash in Seoul
Days after the North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un reappeared after a mysterious disappearance, a former Pyongyang diplomat issued an apology for speculating that the dictator was probably so ill he could not stand.
Kim's pictures and videos of making a public appearance emerged last week where he was seen smoking and walking briskly after attending a factory inauguration.
The hermit nation's tyrant disappeared from the state media for nearly three weeks, sparking speculations of his whereabouts and health. Multiple high-profile defectors from North Korea subsequently speculated that Kim was likely suffering from a grave illness or could even be dead. North Korean state media, however, broadcast a video on Saturday, May 2, showing their Supreme Leader during a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the inauguration of a fertilizer factory.
Former deputy ambassador to Britain and one of the defectors, Thae Yong-ho, issued an apology on Monday, May 4, for his claims made about Kim's health.
"I am aware that one of the reasons why many of you voted for me as a lawmaker is with the expectations of an accurate analysis and projections on North Korean issues," he said in a statement. "I feel the blame and heavy responsibility. Whatever the reasons, I apologize to everyone." Thae was elected to the South Korea parliament last month, the Guardian reported.
High-profile defectors are valued in South Korea and are sought to give perspective on North Korean society, considering its highly-secretive nature. Thae, in his memoir, wrote that when former North Korean leader Kim Jong-il died in 2011, even the foreign minister did not know about it until ministry staff were called to watch the announcement of his demise on state media.
Another prominent North Korean defector elected to the South Korean parliament, Ji Seong-ho, in a recent interview had stated that he was 99 percent certain that the Pyongyang dictator had died after heart surgery, and an official announcement would come as soon as Saturday.
Reports of Kim's ill health or possible death emerged last month after a South Korean outlet, Daily NK, claimed that Kim had undergone a cardiovascular system procedure in Pyongyang on April 12 because of "excessive smoking, obesity and overworking."
Ji, in a public statement, said: "I have pondered on myself for the past few days, and felt the weight of the position that I’m in. As a public figure, I will behave carefully going forward."
Ji, while speaking to Reuters on Friday, May 1, had said that he had received information about Kim's death from a source he could not disclose. After Kim's recent videos became public, South Korea's ruling Democratic party slammed the duo for their carelessness, with one party member even urged that they be excluded from intelligence and defense committees. There were others from the party who argued that North Korean defectors do not contribute much to the South Korean society.
Kim's health came under scrutiny after he gave a miss to an annual visit to the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun for the 108th birthday of his late grandfather, state founder Kim Il-sung on April 15.