Rumors began circulating that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un had suffered a brain hemorrhage, with some unverified reports claiming he had a stroke, fell into a coma and was rushed to Beijing for treatment. No official confirmation has come from North Korean or Chinese authorities, and similar health rumors about the leader have been debunked in the past.
To counter the speculation, North Korea released undated images of Kim Jong Un. The photographs, shared by state media KCNA and NK News, depict the leader inspecting shoes and clothing at a garment and footwear exhibition. The authenticity and timing of the pictures remain unclear.
JUST IN: North Korean media shuts down rumors of Kim Jong Un's death, releasing new images proving the Supreme Leader is healthy & fit. https://t.co/Ye2DXBXG2v
According to the chronology supplied, Kim Jong Un visited the 2026 National Garment and Footwear Exhibition on 2026-10-19. The images showing him at the event were released the next day, 2026-10-20.
According to the chronology supplied, Kim Jong Un visited the 2026 National Garment and Footwear Exhibition on 2026-10-19.
Separate, unverified claims have been attributed to a figure named Xie, who alleged that Kim Jong Un had died and that China had responded by sending 9,000 troops to Pyongyang amid worries over a possible succession crisis.
🔥🚨 BREAKING — Rumors that North Korea's Kim Jong-un has DIED are circulating fast online and raising the possibility of a succession crisis that could plunge North Korea into chaos. Claims from a Chinese activist allege that Kim Jong-un had a severe cerebral hemorrhage, went into a coma, then was flown to Beijing for emergency treatment. His body was supposedly secretly returned to North Korea, with Chinese troops moving in to stabilize Kim Ju-ae, his daughter. There is still no credible confirmation from any reliable source, and the entire story remains unverified speculation at this point.