How North Korea's secrecy fuels leadership rumours
A Chinese dissident falsely claimed Kim Jong Un died, but North Korean state photos showed him alive.
A Chinese dissident living in the US claimed, without evidence, that Kim Jong Un died from a brain haemorrhage and was secretly taken to Beijing for treatment. North Korean state photos came out hours later.
They showed Kim alive. He toured an exhibition with his daughter.
The paper said it was a clothing and footwear exhibition. This is not the first time death rumours have surfaced.
In 2020, a well-known North Korean defector said he was 99 per cent certain Kim had died following heart surgery. Kim appeared in public shortly after.
Experts say these rumours thrive. This is because North Korea is an information black hole.
Facts are hard to verify. They also point out that succession remains uncertain.
Kim's daughter may be prepared as a successor. But she is thought to be only 13.
She has never been formally named as heir.
- 42
- Kim Jong Un's age
- Thought to be only 13
- Kim's daughter's age
- Wanjun Xie, Chinese dissident living in US
- Source of false claim
Why it mattersUncertainty about North Korea's leadership creates space for misinformation. It raises stakes for neighbouring countries if real leadership changes.
AustraliaNo direct Australian effect. North Korea is distant from Australia, but any leadership crisis could affect regional stability and US military posture in the Pacific.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 2 h ago
Open this story in InSnip →
