North Korea has published images of Kim Jong Un visiting the 2026 National Clothing and Footwear Exhibition accompanied by his wife and daughter, following foreign rumors that he suffered a severe brain hemorrhage, lost consciousness, and died while receiving treatment in China. South Korean officials called the rumors baseless, and the media reporting them admitted there is no confirmed evidence of his death.
Rumors about Kim Jong Un's serious illness and death spread on social media and foreign media, claiming he suffered a severe brain hemorrhage causing unconsciousness, was sent for treatment in Beijing, China, but died later due to delayed medical care.
Reports by the U.S. New York Post and British outlets The Sun and Daily Express stated the rumors also claimed Kim's body was secretly returned to North Korea, and his sister Kim Yo Jong, who holds a deputy director position in the Workers' Party, took control. Some speculate she might assume temporary power before transferring authority to Kim Ju Ae, Kim's daughter.
The source of these claims is Xiao Wanjun, a Chinese anti-government activist residing in the U.S. known for participating in the 1989 Tiananmen Square pro-democracy movement. He identifies himself as the leader of the Chinese Democratic Party.
On 18 October, Xiao posted on X (formerly Twitter) that a medical team from the Beijing Medical College Hospital was sent to North Korea on 17 October to treat Kim Jong Un. He claimed Kim was transferred to Beijing for further treatment due to North Korea's limited medical capacity but died from delayed care. He accused North Korean authorities of trying to cover up the death.
Xiao also alleged that China deployed 9,000 troops to Pyongyang to prepare for possible unrest stemming from the power transition. However, he provided no verifiable evidence such as medical records or eyewitness testimony to support these claims.
Later, on 20 October, Xiao claimed that Kim Yo Jong holds more real power than Kim Ju Ae and is considering broadcasting warning messages targeting South Korea, as well as enhancing tactical weapon attack capabilities. These allegations also lack confirming evidence.
The rumors spread from the U.S. and the U.K. to media in India, Ukraine, and Turkey, mostly citing social media posts. The New York Post noted that no verified evidence supports reports of the North Korean leader's death.
Amid the rumors, North Korea's official news agency KCNA reported on Tuesday that Kim Jong Un visited the 2026 National Clothing and Footwear Exhibition the previous day, releasing photos of him attending the event with his wife Ri Sol Ju and daughter Kim Ju Ae.
KCNA reported that Kim expressed satisfaction with the displayed products, saying they reflect the rapid and significant development of the country's light industry.
The exhibition featured more than 70,700 clothing items from over 30 product categories and over 170,000 pairs of shoes from more than 60 types, produced by light industry factories nationwide under Kim's regional development policy.
The released photos show Kim bending down to examine pink children's shoes and touching the sleeve of a women's garment displayed on a mannequin. Other images show him spreading his arms as he explains or advises officials accompanying him.
KCNA quoted Kim stating that the exhibition clearly demonstrates the correctness and effectiveness of the party's policy aimed at reducing disparities between central and local areas, as well as between urban and rural regions, and promoting balanced development across all regions.
In 2024, Kim announced a policy to build modern factories in 20 cities and districts annually for 10 years to improve the quality of life for people in rural areas.
Previously, rumors about Kim Jong Un's health have surfaced multiple times. In 2020, speculation about his death arose after he disappeared from public view for a period, but he later resumed duties normally, disproving those rumors.
In a parliamentary briefing on 30 September, South Korea's National Intelligence Service assessed Kim's weight at around 140 kilograms and noted a high risk of cardiovascular disease. However, they stated no clear signs of health abnormalities were observed from his public appearances, including recently running up stairs during a naval ship inspection.
The recent publication of photos showing Kim visiting the exhibition contradicts social media claims that he has died. Nevertheless, public appearances alone cannot fully confirm his overall health status. To date, no credible evidence supports the death claims.
/sourceSBS News/Yonhap/Seoul Economic Daily