North Korean state media reported that Kim Jong Un recently gave “field guidance” to a newly developed residential district, his first public appearance in more than a month. Kim’s prolonged absence set off a flurry of rumors and theories. Although the report might put some of that speculation to rest, no doubt some are still wondering what happened.
The state media KCNA said that visited the Wisong Scientists Residential District using the language typical for referring to dear leader Kim.
“Watching the exterior of the apartment houses and public buildings nicely decorated with diverse color tiles, he was very pleased to see them. He said they looked very attractive, presenting fantastic scenery.”
KCNA avoided mentioning the exact day and time Jong Un reviewed the district nor did it mention his health.
Archive footage from August showed Kim limping and seemingly swollen, supposedly from gout, a disease brought on by poor eating habits. The video was accompanied by a rare admission from the state media that Jong Un was suffering “discomfort.” His poor health prompted many to speculate that the absence may have been related to the apparent health issues. Still other sources stated that a secret coup had replaced the young Kim altogether.
Unfortunately, North Korea remains the most secretive countries on Earth, with even high-level experts constantly guessing about inner workings of the country, allowing hearsay to sometimes run rampant. U.S. officials have dismissed claims that a coup occurred. Likewise, the AP reports that there is no information to corroborate a serious political move, like unusual troop movements.
As for the health issues, the South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff said that whatever the health issues maybe, they don’t appear to be serious enough to interfere with the business of the state. During Kim Jong Un’s absence, three diplomats visited the South, something that would probably not be possible without Kim giving the orders.
Nevertheless, the KCNA report ends what is the longest absence in the young leader’s three year reign, at about 40 days. As experts and high level officials have pointed out, it probably is not a serious issue that will have major ramifications.
Before the residential district visit, Kim Jong Un was last seen on September 4th, attending the Moranbong Band concert at Pyongyang’s Mansudae Art Theatre with his wife Ri Sol Ju and his sister Kim Yo Jong, in addition to his normal entourage of public officials.
The bigger story may be other signs of stress within Kim’s hermit kingdom. As previously reported by the Inquisitr , the leader’s personal banker recently escaped from the North with a $5 million stash of Kim’s money. The banker ran amid a chaotic time for North Korea’s financial sector, with its former boss, Kim Jong Un’s uncle Jang Sung-taek, executed last year.
No further information about the defector, Yun Tae Hyong, has come out since his apparent defection to Russia.
Who knows when a politically sensitive story will leak from Kim Jong Un’s North Korea and set off a new set of tantalizing rumors.
[Images Via mashable and wallpaperseries.com]