Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

A portrait of Kim Jong-un at a rally in South Korea last year. Ahn Young-joon

Gout, sporting injury or just resting - some of the theories behind Kim Jong-un's recent low profile

North Korea’s leader hasn’t been seen in public since 3 September.

QUESTIONS HAVE BEEN raised about the whereabouts of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.

There has been speculation about Jong-un’s health after he failed to appear at a parliamentary meeting yesterday.

His last public appearance was at a concert he attended with his wife in Pyongyang on 3 September.

South Korean media reports have suggested health issues are behind the absence, noting that recent footage of the young leader has shown him looking overweight and walking with a pronounced limp.

AFP has reported that speculation about the reason for Jong-un’s latest no-show has ranged from an attack of gout to an injury he may have picked up while providing “guidance” to North Korean athletes competing in the ongoing Asian Games.

Keeping mum

Officials in both North and South Korea have so far declined to comment on the issue.

In a press briefing today, the South’s Unification Ministry refused to add any new theories to the mix.

“North Korea has not made any official announcement… so we don’t have anything to comment on”, a ministry spokeswoman said.

“We are watching with various possibilities in mind, including the rumours about health problems,” she added.

Hong Hyun-Ik, a senior researcher at the Sejong Institute think-tank in Seoul, warned against reading too much into Kim’s absence.

“Curiosity about Kim Jong-Un’s well-being tends to be overblown in the South,” Hong said.

“It’s quite possible that he’s just tired and resting up,” Hong said, noting that Kim had undertaken a hectic schedule, including trips to outlying military outposts, during the summer months.

Jong-un came to power after the death of his father, Kim Jong-il, in December 2011.

Maybe Dennis Rodman knows where he is.

Additional reporting: AP.

Read: Matt Cooper describes ‘outpouring of joy’ from crowd upon appearance of Kim Jong-Un

Read: Here’s Dennis Rodman singing ‘Happy Birthday’…to Kim Jong-Un…in North Korea

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Close
27 Comments
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute C. Fishin1
    Favourite C. Fishin1
    Report
    Sep 26th 2014, 10:43 AM

    Kim Jong-ill

    265
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute I love my County
    Favourite I love my County
    Report
    Sep 26th 2014, 11:07 AM

    Looks like his Korea is over…..

    180
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Eric Lensherr
    Favourite Eric Lensherr
    Report
    Sep 26th 2014, 1:04 PM

    North if I have anything to say about it!

    38
    See 1 more reply ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute John S
    Favourite John S
    Report
    Sep 26th 2014, 4:49 PM

    Sure he’s at the ryder cup, after those 15 holes in one……

    20
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Twink's Teddy
    Favourite Twink's Teddy
    Report
    Sep 26th 2014, 10:39 AM

    He’s supposed to be addicted to Swiss cheese.

    Seriously.

    86
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Alan Ryan
    Favourite Alan Ryan
    Report
    Sep 26th 2014, 10:45 AM

    He could have a pain in his Swiss roll.

    66
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Brandon Steers
    Favourite Brandon Steers
    Report
    Sep 26th 2014, 10:53 AM

    I’d say he’s just knackered after winning all those gold medals in the Olympics, winning the World Cup while all the while chasing James Bond around the world on his armour plated unicorn

    200
    See 1 more reply ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Wayne O'Fathaigh
    Favourite Wayne O'Fathaigh
    Report
    Sep 26th 2014, 11:59 AM

    Well he attended school in Switzerland so hardly surprising

    24
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute BC
    Favourite BC
    Report
    Sep 26th 2014, 11:10 AM

    So how is life in north Korea.
    Well, I can’t complain.

    75
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute BC
    Favourite BC
    Report
    Sep 26th 2014, 11:11 AM

    …respect my authoritah.

    50
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Tom Red
    Favourite Tom Red
    Report
    Sep 26th 2014, 11:03 AM

    The little mad Bast**d is in a secret location filming the new Snickers ad with Bertie Aherne and Bill Clinton……

    67
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Silent Majority
    Favourite Silent Majority
    Report
    Sep 26th 2014, 12:43 PM

    A 30 year old communist with gout, brilliant!

    59
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute William Nunan
    Favourite William Nunan
    Report
    Sep 26th 2014, 10:56 AM

    He is unwell since he was born. No change.
    Should we send a get well card?

    33
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Paddy Hannigan
    Favourite Paddy Hannigan
    Report
    Sep 26th 2014, 2:12 PM

    Send a mass card as a wind up.

    17
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute johngahan
    Favourite johngahan
    Report
    Sep 26th 2014, 10:48 AM

    He might be sulking, having charted poorly of late in the World’s Top Ten list of Most Oppressive Brainwashing Regimes.

    28
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Dee4
    Favourite Dee4
    Report
    Sep 26th 2014, 10:58 AM

    yeah we have the same problem with idiot grandkids and kids of politicians here as well

    22
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Oscar Kennedy
    Favourite Oscar Kennedy
    Report
    Sep 26th 2014, 1:39 PM

    Hang in there Un xx

    20
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Robbie Curran
    Favourite Robbie Curran
    Report
    Sep 26th 2014, 12:45 PM

    Has Team America taken care of him????

    15
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute David Mc Skane
    Favourite David Mc Skane
    Report
    Sep 26th 2014, 5:14 PM

    Away Seoul searching

    14
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Toni
    Favourite Toni
    Report
    Sep 26th 2014, 5:21 PM

    Maybe he’s just wonwey

    10
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute David Grey
    Favourite David Grey
    Report
    Sep 26th 2014, 11:30 PM

    Soooo Wonwey!

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Joe McKenna
    Favourite Joe McKenna
    Report
    Sep 26th 2014, 4:24 PM

    Didn’t Seth Rogan and James Franco kill him?

    7
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Leopold Dedalus
    Favourite Leopold Dedalus
    Report
    Sep 26th 2014, 10:42 AM

    KING Jong-un? Really?

    7
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Marc Power
    Favourite Marc Power
    Report
    Sep 26th 2014, 2:40 PM

    Maybe he’s busy eating all the pies that the guys with the note books have been ordering for him

    6
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute David Grey
    Favourite David Grey
    Report
    Sep 26th 2014, 11:33 PM

    He’s actually on an inter galactic mission on a North Korean built Space Rocket to speak to Alien forces that have accepted him as Master of the Universe and want to pay homage!
    Sheesh!……
    Do none of you read the North Korean Times? ?

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Rory Behan
    Favourite Rory Behan
    Report
    Sep 26th 2014, 11:51 AM

    He’s clearly ripping off the storyline from The Tudors!

    3
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Winston Teardrops
    Favourite Winston Teardrops
    Report
    Sep 26th 2014, 2:13 PM

    Inda regularly gives “guidance” to Dan Martin and Nicholas Roche. Nothing odd about that.

    1
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.