Kim Jong Un, the supreme leader of opaque North Korea, hasn't been seen in public since Sept. 3. Friday is Party Foundation Day, the 69th anniversary of the ruling Workers' Party, and reports suggest that Kim missed the public celebration for the first time in his three years in power. Kim wasn't listed on the official list of senior officials paying their respects at the tombs of Kim's father and grandfather, his predecessors in power.
North Korea's state-run media reported last month that Kim is suffering "discomfort," and he was previously seen walking with a limp, suggesting gout. But his long absence from public life has led to speculation that he is seriously ill or has been deposed in a coup. South Korea's unification ministry says the rumors are overblown. "It seems that Kim Jong Un's rule is in normal operation," ministry spokesman Lim Byeong-cheol said Friday.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
-
Why are people microdosing Ozempic?In The Spotlight Tiny doses of the weight-loss drug can sidestep its unpleasant side effects, say influencers. But is customising the dose a good idea?
-
Five festive cocktails for Christmas 2024The Week Recommends Serve seasonal libations for an extra special gathering
-
Octopuses could be the next big species after humansUNDER THE RADAR What has eight arms, a beaked mouth, and is poised to take over the planet when we're all gone?
-
Putin says Russia isn't weakened by Syria setbackSpeed Read Russia had been one of the key backers of Syria's ousted Assad regime
-
Georgia DA Fani Willis removed from Trump caseSpeed Read Willis had been prosecuting the election interference case against the president-elect
-
Democrats blame 'President Musk' for looming shutdownSpeed Read The House of Representatives rejected a spending package that would've funding the government into 2025
-
Trump, Musk sink spending bill, teeing up shutdownSpeed Read House Republicans abandoned the bill at the behest of the two men
-
Congress reaches spending deal to avert shutdownSpeed Read The bill would fund the government through March 14, 2025
-
Luigi Mangione charged with murder, terrorismSpeed Read Magnione is accused of murdering UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson
-
Ex-FBI informant pleads guilty to lying about BidensSpeed Read Alexander Smirnov claimed that President Joe Biden and his son Hunter were involved in a bribery scheme with Ukrainian energy company Burisma
-
South Korea impeaches president, eyes chargesSpeed Read Yoon Suk Yeol faces investigations on potential insurrection and abuse of power charges
