North Korean leader Kim Jong Un reportedly made his first public appearance in 20 days amid rumors that he was in failing health or had died, according to state-run media.
North Korea’s KCNA said Friday that Kim attended the completion of a fertilizer plant in an area north of the country’s capital of Pyongyang, according to Reuters, although given the secretive nature of the country outside outlets have yet to confirm the veracity of the report.
State-run media reported that Kim cut the ribbon at the factory’s opening and onlookers “burst into thunderous cheers of ‘hurrah!’ for the Supreme Leader who is commanding the all-people general march for accomplishing the great cause of prosperity.”
Kim’s sister, Kim Yo Jong, was also reportedly in attendance. There is speculation that Kim Yo Jong would be a potential successor to her brother should he die.
Kim was last seen in public on April 11. News reports soon circulated that he was in “grave danger” following heart surgery or was in a vegetative state. Other reports indicated that he was actually at one of his favorite resorts in the coastal city of Wonsan.
The U.S. intelligence community said it was investigating reports that the dictator was unwell, but South Korean officials said that they saw no evidence to indicate that he was dead or had undergone any major surgeries. An adviser to South Korean President Moon Jae-in said last Sunday that Kim was thought to be in Wonsan and “alive and well.”
Kim has pulled a disappearing act before. In 2014, he disappeared for more than a month and later reemerged with a cane. Intelligence indicated that the absence was the result of a cyst removal surgery.
There was also speculation that Kim might have been self-isolating given the coronavirus pandemic. North Korea has claimed to not have any coronavirus cases, although it was reported in early March that nearly 200 North Korean soldiers had died from COVID-19 complications. North Korea has also quietly reached out to the international groups for help with testing.
President Trump implied on Monday that he had insight into Kim’s well-being. He made the remarks during a White House news conference about COVID-19.
“I can’t tell you exactly. Yes, I do have a very good idea, but I can’t talk about it now,” Trump said in the Rose Garden. “I just wish him well. I’ve had a very good relationship with Kim Jong Un.”
Trump declined to comment on Kim’s condition on Friday before boarding Marine One for Camp David.
The Washington Examiner reached out to the Office of the Director of National Intelligence and the State Department for comment on the report.
