Claims about Kim Jong Un’s current state are being made by South Korea as they continue to downplay rumors of the North Korean leader’s serious illness or death.
South Korea’s unification minister, Kim Yeon-Chul, told lawmakers on Tuesday that ‘the government is aware of Kim Jong Un’s location,’ without providing further explanation. The minister suggested that Kim Jong Un’s low profile may be due to concerns about contracting coronavirus rather than being indicative of a serious illness.
According to Daily Mail, the US has deployed five spy planes to North Korea amid speculation about Kim’s health.
Four US eavesdropping aircraft will attempt to intercept communications related to the Supreme Leader and his health, while one ground surveillance plane will monitor for any unusual troop movements, as reported by the publication.
Despite Seoul’s insistence that Kim is alive and well, South Korea has also dispatched a spy aircraft over its northern neighbor, as reported by the Chosun Ilbo newspaper.
Rumors and conflicting reports surrounding the North Korean dictator have been circulating since April 15, when he was absent from an event honoring his grandfather Kim Il-sung.
Various reports have suggested that Kim underwent a life-saving heart surgery, which may not have been performed promptly enough or could have been botched by the surgeon after he grasped his chest and collapsed while visiting the countryside in early April.