Is North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un dead again? Almost dead again? Totally alive with that silly grin on his face? It depends.
Multiple reports swirled on Sunday that Kim is in a coma — or already dead — depending on which report(s) one chooses to believe. Then again, Kim has been “dead” or “dying” in the past, only to later emerge.
In either case, reports also suggest that Kim’s younger sister, Kim Yo-jong has either assumed power of the Hermit Kingdom, or is at least being eased into position to ultimately exert control over the most isolated and secretive country on the planet.
As reported by the Mirror, Chang Song-min, a former aide to late-South Korean president Kim Dae-jung, has alleged that Kim has become seriously ill, based on ongoing speculation about his limited public appearances this year.
“I assess him to be in a coma, but his life is not ended,” Chang told South Korean media, while also speculating about the dictator’s sister. “A complete succession structure has not been formed, so Kim Yo-jong is being brought to the fore as the vacuum cannot be maintained for a prolonged period,” he said.
It gets even more confusing, as suggested by the Mirror.
South Korea’s National Intelligence Service (NIS) has revealed that the 33-year-old sibling serves as Kim’s “de facto second-in-command,” but has not been designated as his successor, and that she has been brought in to “relieve (Kim’s) stress from his reign and avert culpability in the event of policy failure.”
And this from the New York Post:
Kim Jong Un reportedly in a coma as his sister Kim Yo Jong takes control https://t.co/6FKku2YI1A pic.twitter.com/MHR66mUUR4
— New York Post (@nypost) August 23, 2020
However, the Daily Star reported that Kim could already be dead, based on information from an expert who focuses on North Korea and reportedly has a network of contacts in North Korean capital Pyongyang.
“I honestly believe he’s dead but you just can’t tell with that country. I could be in Pyongyang now and be none the wiser.”
Also on Sunday, the Express ran the headline, “Kim Jong-un dead as sister poised for North Korea takeover experts say after clue spotted,” and said it’s “just a matter of time before Kim Yo-jong is confirmed as his successor.”
After weeks of speculation earlier this year that the 36-year-old dictator had died or was in a coma, he emerged on May 1 for a ceremony marking the completion of a fertilizer plant — looking very much alive and well. As the Mirror reported, it was believed that a “botched” heart operation to fit a stent had either killed him or left him gravely ill.
So now, here we go again. Or should I say still?
Needless to say Donald Trump’s relationship with Kim was an “interesting” one. The North Korean dictator went from “Little Rocket Man,” to sending “the most beautiful letters” to Trump, causing him to declare: We fell in love.”
So as news of Kim’s “latest death” — or at least his latest coma — spread on Sunday, the Trump haters came out in full force on Twitter. Here’s a smattering:
“He’s got a great personality. He’s a funny guy. He’s very smart. He’s a great negotiator. He loves his people, not that I’m surprised by that.”
Trump on Kim Jong-un
— Michael Christ (@MichaChrist) August 23, 2020
Here we go again. I’m sure Trump will be sending get well wishes. 🤷🏼♀️
Kim Jong-Un ‘is in a coma and his sister is set to take control’ https://t.co/KfxyAYj8cv
— Wear a Damn Mask Karen 🌊🇺🇸🇨🇦😷🌊 (@KatC8797) August 23, 2020
Hopefully thats true. And…the old saying “Death Comes in Threes”
Kim Jong-un
Putin
trump
TRIFRECTA!— Cheri D (@CheriD81398383) August 23, 2020
Maybe tRump would also like to have Kim Jong-Un’s funeral at the White House?!#CorruptToTheCore
— CanUHearMeWaving (@threedsr1) August 23, 2020
OK that’s enough of that.
In the midst of the speculation of Kim’s death or incapacitation earlier this year, Trump in late April said “I do have a very good idea” about Kim’s condition. Within two weeks, Kim emerged, as if he had never disappeared.
Trump has yet to comment on today’s Round Two of the Kim Jong-un Death Watch. Until he does, the fate of Little Rocket Man might remain a mystery for sometime.
