Unverified rumors of NK leader's death spread on overseas social media

Unverified claims that North Korean leader Kim Jong-un died after a brain hemorrhage spread on overseas social media Tuesday. The claims said he fell into a coma, was hospitalized in Beijing and died, but provided no evidence. North Korean state media reported that Kim visited a garment and footwear exhibition in Pyongyang the previous day, while South Korean officials said they had heard nothing supporting the rumors.

The claims reportedly originated from an X post by Wanjun Xie, who said Kim was treated at Peking Union Medical College Hospital and that his body was secretly returned to North Korea.

The Sun, the New York Post and India's Economic Times reported on the rumors while citing social media posts.

State media photos showed Kim touring the exhibition with his daughter Ju-ae.

Wanjun Xie identifies himself as chairman of the Chinese Democratic Party, which is banned by Chinese authorities, and has circulated other unverified claims about Chinese President Xi Jinping's death and alleged use of a body double.

Published Oct 20, 2026 4:39 pm KST

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, right, accompanied by his daughter Ju-ae, inspects the venue of a garment and footwear exhibition in the light industry in Pyongyang, Monday, in this photo released by Korean Central News Agency the next day. 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.

周二，有关朝鲜领导人金正恩因脑出血去世的未经证实的消息在海外社交媒体上流传。这些消息称，金正恩陷入昏迷，在北京住院后去世，但并未提供任何证据。朝鲜官方媒体报道称，金正恩前一天曾参观平壤的一个服装鞋类展览，而韩国官员则表示，他们没有听到任何支持这些传言的消息。

据报道，这些说法源自谢万军在 X 论坛上发布的帖子，他称金正恩在北京协和医院接受了治疗，他的遗体被秘密送回了朝鲜。

《太阳报》、《纽约邮报》和印度《经济时报》援引社交媒体帖子报道了这些传闻。

官方媒体照片显示，金正恩携女儿金珠爱参观了展览。

谢万军自称是已被中国当局取缔的中国民主党主席，他还散布了其他未经证实的说法，包括中国国家主席习近平的死讯以及据称使用了替身。

发布于2026年10月20日下午4:39（韩国标准时间）

朝鲜最高领导人金正恩（右）周一在其女儿金珠爱的陪同下视察了平壤轻工业区的一个服装鞋类展览会场。这张照片由朝鲜中央通讯社于次日发布。（韩联社）

未经证实的消息称，朝鲜领导人金正恩因脑出血去世，这一说法在海外社交媒体上流传开来，而朝鲜官方媒体则报道了他参观公共展览的消息。

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。