S. Korean Officials Say Media Reports Not True

A North Korean defector who was recently elected as a lawmaker in South Korea said that North Korean leader Kim Jong-un is in critical condition due to poor cardiovascular health and is incapable of exercising his control of the government, the Chosun Ilbo reported on April 21.

Ji Sung-ho, a lawmaker-elect of the Future Korea Party, a satellite party of the main opposition United Future Party, quoted his source familiar with North Korea's internal affairs, as saying, "From late January to early February, Kim Jong-un had needed a doctor due to heart and blood vessel problems," adding, "He seems to have recently had an operation, and North Korea is now ruled by a regent."

"It is unclear who or how many people rule on behalf of Kim Jong-un," Ji said. "Kim has a daughter from his legal wife and a son around seven years old from another woman, which could complicate the succession process." In the event of Kim's death, there is a possibility that his younger sister, Kim Yo-jong, who is a member of the Workers' Party of Korea, may emerge as his successor.

Ji, a native of Hoeryong, North Hamgyong Province, defected to South Korea in 2006 with crutches. In 2018, U.S. President Donald Trump introduced in his State of the Union address to the U.S. Congress that "the process of Ji Sung-ho's defection is like a yearning for freedom that the U.S. has kept since its founding." In the April 12 general elections, he won a National Assembly seat through the proportional representation system.

Meanwhile, South Korean government officials remain unsure of the media reports about Kim’s cardiovascular surgery. An official handling North Korea affairs said on April 21 that there has not been any indicator that could lead him to suspect Kim's poor health.

He questioned the credibility of the media reports based on Kim’s latest public outings, the most recent one being a ruling party politburo meeting on April 11.

South Korea's Unification Ministry declined to officially comment on the reports.

Reuters quoted two South Korean government officials as saying that Kim was not gravely ill and the reports about Kim’s health are not true. The presidential Blue House said there are no unusual signs coming from the North. 

Copyright © BusinessKorea. Prohibited from unauthorized reproduction and redistribution