Unverified rumors of N.K. leader's death spread on overseas social media

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SEOUL, Oct. 20 (Yonhap) -- Unverified claims that North Korean leader Kim Jong-un had died after suffering a brain hemorrhage have spread on overseas social media, while North Korean state media reported his visit to a public exhibition.

The rumors were reported Tuesday by the British tabloid The Sun, the New York Post and India's Economic Times, which cited social media posts that had claimed Kim suffered a severe brain hemorrhage, fell into a coma and was rushed to a hospital in Beijing.

The claims reportedly originated from a post on X by Wanjun Xie, a Chinese dissident based in the United States.

In a post Monday, Xie claimed that Kim had suffered a severe brain hemorrhage, lost consciousness and been transferred to Peking Union Medical College Hospital in Beijing because of North Korea's poor medical facilities but died.

He also claimed Kim's body had been secretly returned to North Korea and his death was being kept under wraps.

No evidence was provided to substantiate the claims.

Xie identifies himself as chairman of the Chinese Democratic Party, an organization banned by Chinese authorities, and has circulated other unverified claims on social media, including speculation about Chinese President Xi Jinping's death and the alleged use of a body double.

North Korean state media did not directly address the speculation but reported Tuesday that Kim visited a garment and footwear exhibition in Pyongyang the previous day. Photos released by state media showed Kim touring it with his daughter Ju-ae.

South Korean diplomatic and security officials said they had heard "nothing" to support the claims.

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un (R), accompanied by his daughter Ju-ae, inspects the venue of a garment and footwear exhibition in the light industry in Pyongyang on Oct. 19, 2026, in this photo released by the North's official Korean Central News Agency the next day. (For Use Only in the Republic of Korea. No Redistribution) (Yonhap)

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un (2nd from R), accompanied by his daughter Ju-ae (R), inspects the venue of a garment and footwear exhibition in the light industry in Pyongyang on Oct. 19, 2026, in this photo released by the North's official Korean Central News Agency the next day. (For Use Only in the Republic of Korea. No Redistribution) (Yonhap)

graceoh@yna.co.kr (END)

N. Korea's Kim tours light industry expo, touts regional policy achievements

Unverified rumors of N.K. leader's death spread on overseas social media

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首尔，10月20日（韩联社）——有关朝鲜领导人金正恩因脑出血去世的未经证实的说法在海外社交媒体上流传，而朝鲜官方媒体则报道他参观了一场公共展览。

周二，英国小报《太阳报》、纽约邮报和印度《经济时报》报道了这些传闻，并援引社交媒体上的帖子称，金正恩脑出血严重，陷入昏迷，被紧急送往北京的一家医院。

据报道，这些说法源自居住在美国的中国异见人士谢万军在X网站上发表的一篇文章。

谢周一在一篇帖子中声称，金正恩脑出血严重，失去意识，由于朝鲜医疗设施落后，被送往北京协和医院，但最终不治身亡。

他还声称金正恩的遗体已被秘密送回朝鲜，他的死讯一直被掩盖。

没有提供任何证据来证实这些说法。

谢自称是中国民主党主席，而该组织已被中国当局取缔。他还在社交媒体上散布其他未经证实的说法，包括对中国国家主席习近平去世的猜测以及据称使用了替身。

朝鲜官方媒体并未直接回应相关猜测，但周二报道称，金正恩前一天参观了平壤的一个服装鞋帽展览。官方媒体发布的照片​​显示，金正恩与女儿朱爱一同参观了展览。

韩国外交和安全官员表示，他们“没有听到任何”支持这些说法的消息。

2026年10月19日，朝鲜领导人金正恩（右）携女儿金珠爱视察平壤轻工业服装鞋类展览会场。这张照片由朝鲜官方通讯社朝中社于次日发布。（仅限韩国境内使用，禁止转载）（韩联社）

2026年10月19日，朝鲜领导人金正恩（右二）携女儿金珠爱（右）视察平壤轻工业服装鞋类展览会场。这张照片由朝鲜官方通讯社朝中社于次日发布。（仅限韩国境内使用，禁止转载）（韩联社）

graceoh@yna.co.kr (完)

朝鲜领导人金正恩参观轻工业博览会，并大力宣传地区政策成就

未经证实的朝鲜领导人死亡谣言在海外社交媒体上流传