There has been an unconfirmed update regarding the wellbeing of North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un this Sunday 26th April. Rumours have emerged that the 36-year-old despot has died as a result of complications during heart surgery.
As the New York Post reports, these rumours of Kim Jong Un’s death follow claims he was in a “vegetative state” after going under the knife.
Claims of the dictator’s passing are said to have come from the vice director of a broadcast network in Hong Kong: HKSTV Hong Kong Satellite Television, the Post shares. Reportedly, the claim has been made by a “very solid source.”
Whispers about the North Korean leader’s health intensified in recent days after it was alleged that Chinese medical teams were dispatched to help address his worsening health condition.
This follows news that Jong Un has not been seen in public for two weeks.
While there has been no official update about the dictator’s health condition, many are theorising what next steps could look like for North Korea.
If indeed the dictator has passed, it’s believed that his sister, senior ruling party official Kim Yo Jong would be most likely to step in to take his place.
This, it’s been said, has the potential to cause some serious unrest in the nation. News.com.au writes that Jong Un’s death, or the end of his rule, could result in complete chaos. There have been warnings of a possible refugee crisis off the back of this.
And as for the kind of leader Kim Yo Jong would make, Sung Yoon Lee, a Koreas expert at The Fletcher School at Tufts University recently told VICE News:
“It is entirely possible that Ms. Kim will prove even more tyrannical than her brother or father or grandfather.”
“She will also have to show her mettle by provoking the U.S. with major weapons tests and lethal attacks on South Korea and U.S. forces stationed there.”
In short: this situation is complicated, and it isn’t looking great.
If you’d like to continue reading about North Korea and what the nation will look like if its leader dies, check out this useful explainer on the whole sitch.
Always be in the loop with our snackable podcast breaking the biggest story of the day. Subscribe to It’s Been A Big Day For… on your favourite podcast app.