North Koreans were 'secretly elated' at the prospect of Kim Jong-un's death: 'People often joke about his weight'
North Korea supreme leader Kim Jong-un's captive subjects were reportedly elated at the news of his much-reported demise, a new report claimed.
"There’s quite a few people who are secretly elated at the rumors" of Kim’s demise, the South Korean outlet NK Daily reported. The outlet cited one of its “citizen journalists” sources within North Korea for the report.
According to the anti-regime site, the source said of the North Korean people: "People talk about how fat Kim is among their trusted friends and wonder how he could be so overweight while his people are so thin. They crack jokes that he could explode if he gets any fatter. So many North Koreans are suffering from malnutrition that it’s unlikely that there are many who feel overly concerned about Kim Jong-un’s health."
Reports of Kim's ill health or possible death emerged last month after the outlet claimed that Kim had undergone a cardiovascular system procedure in Pyongyang on April 12 because of "excessive smoking, obesity and overworking". 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.
The Pyongyang leader, however, was reported alive on May 2 after unverified pictures surfaced of him at a factory opening after 20-day absence amid health rumors.
South Korean news agency, Yonhap, also reported that "N.K. leader reemerges from 20-day absence amid rumors over his health." The report stated, "Kim attended a ceremony marking the completion of a fertilizer plant in Sunchon, South Phyongan Province."
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, this week, had reportedly predicted a famine in North Korea if a power struggle resulted in an attempt to succeed Kim, and because of the coronavirus outbreak. Amid Kim's health speculations, satellite images had shown luxury boats moored at the port near his favorite beach resort.
President Donald Trump, amidst the speculation of the tyrant's whereabouts, had suggested multiple times in the past week that he was aware of Kim's condition. However, he did not reveal much when prodded for details and told reporters that he can not publicly comment about the dictator except for wishing him well.
There was another report on Friday, May 1, and it was suggested that the Pyongyang leader might not be dead, and purportedly “had something wrong health-wise due to either excessive drinking or overwork."
It was reported last week that Kim's sister Yo-jong is set to be promoted to the official "successor" of the hermit nation, fuelling further speculations about her brother's ill health or possible death. Kim Yo-jong's promotion will make her the most important figure in Pyongyang after her brother, who also held the same role when his father, Kim Jong-il, died in 2011.
It was reported on Tuesday, April 29, that the state's National Assembly wishes to expand her role to become "party center" in an attempt to strengthen the sovereignty of the "blood lineage." Kim Yo-jong's new powerful position would make her "responsible for the party's only leadership system."