Kim Jong-un reportedly dead after botched heart surgery, claims TMZ
The news of North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un's supposed death spread widely on Saturday after Japanese and Chinese media reported the same. However, no official confirmation has been made so far about his condition to international journalists at Pyeongyang and all of the reports that have come out so far have been based on sources close to the North Korean leader.
According to a report in TMZ, the cause of Kim Jong-un's death (or vegetative state) was reportedly caused by a botched heart surgery. TMZ has quoted a Hong Kong-backed news channel's vice director for the news of King Jong-un's death. She is reportedly the niece of a Chinese Foreign Minister and she shared the news on her social media handle on Weibo to her 15 million followers.
She cited a "very solid source" about claims of Kim's death. In the meanwhile, a Japanese magazine has reported that Kim's medical condition was caused by a stent procedure that was performed after Kim suffered from acute heartache in April when he had visited the countryside. He had fallen down as a result and a medical expert who was privy to the situation was quoted as saying that either the procedure was performed too late or was performed incorrectly.
Other unconfirmed reports, attributed to senior party sources in Beijing, said an operation to insert a stent went wrong because the surgeon’s hands were shaking badly.
The fact that Kim hasn't made any public appearance in weeks as a sign of putting all the rumors to rest is worrisome. April 25 also marks a very important date for North Korea. It is the founding day of the Korean People's Army in 1932 which is celebrated countrywide with much fanfare including a parade. Usually, this is one of the events that sees Kim's attendance and if he is doing well, then he should be seen making an appearance in the celebration. However, so far, that hasn't happened. The report also quotes international reporters on the ground as saying that if Kim was fine, then his team will find a way for him to show up to squash the rumors.
If this doesn't happen, then the reporters said that it is a clear indication of something amiss. In the meanwhile, reports of Kim's sister Kim Yo-jong taking over as the Supreme Leader of North Korea has also been widely speculated. Speculation about her recent promotion to a prominent position of power in the country has also spread widely indicating that things are not looking up for Kim Jong-un.
Meanwhile, when asked for a comment regarding the news of Kim Jong-un's medical condition, Donald Trump refused to elaborate. All he said that was he can only "wish him well". Trump also credited Kim Jong-un as the reason for the US not being at war with North Korea. He said, "We have had a good relationship. I have said it many times, if somebody else was in this position, we would have been at war with North Korea," and he also added, "It is CNN that came out with the report and nobody's confirmed that. When CNN comes out with a report, I don't put much credence in it."