What’s incorrect with Kim Jong-Un?

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    Kim Jong-Un

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    Kim Jong-Un’s health has actually been the topic of speculation for a long time (Picture: Getty Images)

    The health of North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un has actually been the topic of speculation for a long time now, with most current reports suggesting that he is in a coma.

    Chang Song-min, former aide to South Korea’s late president Kim Dae-jung, made the comments as he claimed that the leader’s powers were now being transferred to his sister Kim Yo Jong.

    He told South Korean media: ‘I assess him to be in a coma, but his life has not ended. A complete succession structure has not been formed, so Kim Yo-jong is being brought to the fore as the vacuum cannot be maintained for a prolonged period.’

    Just what is wrong with Kim Jong-Un?

    What’s wrong with Kim Jong-Un?

    It’s not exactly clear what is wrong with the leader of the notoriously secretive state, although rumours have persisted about his health in recent months due to his absence from public appearances.

    Initially he was thought to have either died or become seriously ill as a result of heart surgery going wrong – with suggestions back in April that Chinese doctors had been summoned for advice on how to treat him.

    Speculation was also ramped up after Kim missed a commemoration of the 108th birthday of his grandfather, North Korea founder Kim Il Sung, on April 15.

    Kim Jong-Un opens a factory

    Mr Kim was apparently seen in public in May at the opening of a fertiliser factory (Picture: AFP)

    The annual commemoration is the most important annual event in the country, and Kim, 36, had not missed it since he assumed power from his late father in 2011.

    This was followed by rumours that he was dead, fuelled by a photo which did the rounds on social media appearing to show him lying in a coffin – although this was widely believed to be fake.

    The speculation about his health appeared to be cleared up when he was seen in public in May, cutting the ribbon at the opening of a fertiliser factory in Sunchon – although news agency Reuters said at the time that the authenticity of the pictures, released by the Korean Central News Agency, could not be verified.

    Who will succeed Kim Jong-Un as North Korean leader?

    Kim Yo Jong with Kim Jong Un

    It’s been suggested that Kim Yo Jong would take over power from Kim Jong-Un (Picture: AP)

    If Mr Kim dies or is unable to continue as leader of North Korea, it’s been suggested that he would transfer authority to his sister Kim Yo Jong – and reports this week have suggested she is already the nation’s second-in-command.

    South Korean MP Ha Tae-Keung said last week: ‘The bottom line is that Kim Jong-un still holds absolute power but has turned over a bit more of his authority compared to the past, Kim Yo Jong is the de facto second-in-command.

    The National Intelligence Service even suggested that Ms Kim is now ‘steering overall state affairs’, although she has not been chosen as Mr Kim’s successor.

    MORE: Dennis Rodman recalls partying with ‘hotties’ alongside ‘good friend’ Kim Jong-un in North Korea

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