South Korea: Kim Jong-un in Good Health

Despite widespread speculation about the health and whereabouts of North Korea’s leader, Kim Jong-un, South Korea has continued to state that he is “alive and well”.

The east Asian nation has repeatedly dismissed rumours that the “Supreme Leader” of its northern neighbour is in poor health – or even dead – as he has not been seen in public since attending a government meeting on 11 April.

During an interview with a media outlet, Moon Chung-in – South Korea’s foreign adviser to President Moon Jae-in – explained that the 36-year-old leader of North Korea is doing well, and has been quarantined in the northern city of Wonsan since 13 April.

Several unconfirmed reports of Kim’s ill health – which is due to his heavy smoking habit, family history of weight problems and cardiovascular issues – have been circulating.

North Korea’s state-owned media and government control over its flow of information makes it notoriously difficult to gain accurate facts, which has only fueled hearsay and whispers.