Kim Jong-un: Chinese doctors 'dispatched to North Korea to check on leader's health'

25 April 2020, 08:57

Kim Jong-un's health has been the subject of conflicting reports in recent weeks
Kim Jong-un's health has been the subject of conflicting reports in recent weeks. Picture: PA
Nick Hardinges

By Nick Hardinges

Chinese doctors have been dispatched to North Korea to advise on Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un's health, according to reports.

Speculation about the North Korean leader's health is circulating once again after South Korea played down reports that his health was "in grave danger" on Tuesday.

Mr Kim's absence from key events, including the celebration of his late grandfather and state founder Kim Il Sung on 15 April, has raised questions over his wellbeing.

It is unclear what the delegation of Chinese doctors reportedly sent to the country would mean about the dictator's health.

A team led by a senior member of the Chinese Communist Party's International Liaison Department - the main Chinese body dealing with its neighbour - left Beijing for North Korea on Thursday, two out of three people familiar with the situation told Reuters.

The sources did not wish to be identified due to the sensitivity of the subject.

Some North Korean officials have reportedly contracted coronavirus
Some North Korean officials have reportedly contracted coronavirus. Picture: PA

A report in South Korean newspaper, The Dong-a Ilbo, says a US official saw him in Wonsan "walking on his own between 15 and 20 April."

“As some of Kim’s aids and high-ranking officials have contracted Covid-19, Kim seems to have left Pyongyang, which has a high population density, as a preventive measure,” the official added.

Separately, Hong Kong Satellite Television has reported that Mr Kim is dead but there is no confirmation of this. If he were to pass his sister could replace him.

Obtaining credible information about North Korean leaders is difficult, with even intelligence agencies sometimes getting things wrong about the inner circles of the country's government.

The Chinese liaison department could not be reached by Reuters for comment on Friday night.

Seoul-based website Daily NK reported earlier this week that Mr Kim was recovering after undergoing a cardiovascular procedure on 12 April - citing one unnamed source in North Korea.

However, South Korea's Yonhap news agency claimed the North Korean leader was not seriously ill, citing a government official.

An official within the Chinese liaison department also told Reuters the Supreme Leader was not believed to be critically ill.

These starkly contradicted a CNN article which claimed the dictator was in a fragile condition following the procedure on 12 April.

South Korean officials said they had detected no signs of unusual activity in North Korea.

On Thursday, US President Donald Trump also cast doubt on rumours suggesting the leader was ill, saying: "I think the report was incorrect."

North Korea's chilling propaganda video depicts airstrike on US

Speaking on Fox News, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said: “I don’t have anything I can share with you tonight, but the American people should know we’re watching the situation very keenly.”

However, he did not say whether he had been in contact with North Korean officials.

It is not believed that any health issues are related to coronavirus.

Both Mr Kim's predecessors sparked similar conjecture after missing important events during their reigns.

When the North Korean leader's father Kim Jong Il failed to turn up at a parade celebrating the country's 60th anniversary in 2008, rumours swirled that he was in poor health.

It later emerged that he had suffered a stroke, after which his health declined further until his eventual death in 2011.

Latest World News

See more Latest World News

A Thai hostage who was freed from Hamas, Pongsak Thaenna, hugs a relative upon arrival at Suvarnabhumi International Airport

'We never gave up hope': Freed Thai hostages in tears of joy as they reunite with families after more than a year

'Make Europe Great Again' Rally In Madrid

'Make Europe Great Again': Far-right European political leaders praise Trump at Madrid meeting

Freed Palestinian prisoners are greeted by a crowd as they arrive in the Gaza Strip after being released from an Israeli prison following a ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip.

Emotional scenes in West Bank and Gaza as Palestinians reunited with their families after release from Israeli prisons

Israeli hostage reunited with his family.

Emotional moment Israeli hostages reunite with families after being paraded on stage by Hamas

Police officers hold back protesters trying to block the road at the rally.

Protesters clash with police as thousands rally outside proposed site for new Chinese ‘mega-embassy’ in London

Hollyoaks star and country singer thought to be son of British couple shot dead in French villa ‘by UK gangsters’

Hollyoaks star breaks silence over death of mum found dead in French villa with her husband

The Government has ordered Apple to allow it to access encrypted files uploaded to the cloud by any Apple user worldwide, it has been reported.

UK Government orders Apple to give it access to users’ encrypted data in 'unprecedented attack on privacy'

The wreckage of the small commuter plane that crashed in western Alaska has been found

Missing Alaska Bering Air plane found with all 10 people on board confirmed dead

Hollyoaks star and country singer thought to be son of British couple shot dead in French villa ‘by UK gangsters’

Hollyoaks star and country singer thought to be son of British couple shot dead in French villa ‘by UK gangsters’

Israeli hostages Or Levy, Eli Sharabi and Ohad Ben Ami have been released

'We won't gloss over the shocking scenes', warns Netanyahu as three freed by Hamas paraded on stage

Harry and Meghan at the 2023 Invictus Games

Meghan to join Prince Harry at Invictus Games in Canada

President Trump Hosts Japan's Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba At The White House

Donald Trump slams brakes on some China tariffs in third trade war U-turn

A British man found dead with his wife inside their isolated French villa

British couple found dead in French villa named as fears former organised crime financial investigator was 'murdered'

At least two dead after the plane crashed in Sao Paulo

Plane crash claims at least two lives as light aircraft smashes into a bus in Sao Paulo

The Bering Air Caravan was heading from Unalakleet to Nome

Search under way as Bering Air plane carrying 10 people disappears while flying over Alaska

A British couple was reportedly found dead by a neighbour in Les Pesquiès, south of Villefranche-de-Rouergue.

British couple found dead inside 'isolated' French villa in 'feared burglary gone wrong'