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And Roy Calley believes if the news is confirmed, it will trigger an unprecedented outpouring of grief, followed by a "complete breakdown in society" lasting roughly a month. Reports carried by numerous news outlets have suggested the 36-year-old may have died, with others suggesting he is in a vegetative state with no hope of resuscitation after heart surgery went wrong - although Moon Chung-in, South Korean President Moon Jae-in's top foreign policy adviser to, today CNN the so-called Supreme Leader was "alive and well".

The persistent rumours were give credence after satellite imagery showing Kim's personal train has apparently been parked at the Leadership Railway Station servicing his Wonsan compound since Tuesday. Insiders have also suggested China has dispatched a team of doctors to North Korea to determine the status of Kim Jong-un's health. Mr Calley, author of Look With Your Eyes and Tell The World, which offers a fascinating insight into North Korean society, told Express.co.uk: "I think these rumours are almost certainly true, especially with the arrival of the personal train.

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Knowing the country the way I do, I'm convinced they would parade him to the world if he was okay. They wouldn't want this speculation Roy Colley

Nevertheless, he acknowledged: "Knowing the country the way I do, I'm convinced they would parade him to the world if he was okay. They wouldn't want this speculation. "The carriage where the Dear Leader, Kim Jong-il, Kim's father, died is still on public display, so they will obviously be preparing for an announcement. "This might be delayed for quite some time, as the outpouring of grief across the country is like nothing you will see anywhere else. JUST IN: China nuclear threat: US expert fears 'unnecessary arms race'

Kim Jong-un in a picture released on April 12

Satellite imagery shows Kim's Wonsan complex

The image shows Kim's personal train at Wonsan

"She has accompanied him on many events and seems to the obvious transition. "How a female will be accepted by the public will be interesting, although the Kim dynasty has the bloodline and won't be challenged. "There will be absolutely no change to the way the country is run, simply because the Juche Theory ideology is so ingrained in the culture. It will just run seamlessly." However, he acknowledged: "If and when the Supreme Leader dies there will be a complete breakdown in society for about a month if previous experience is anything to go by."

North Korea nuclear timeline

As for the coronavirus situation, despite Pyong Yang's denials, Mr Calley, who recently recovered from the illness himself, has little doubt COVID-19 is affecting North Korea. He said: "The virus has hit the country. "There can be no doubt about that, bearing in mind it borders China and Chinese visitors make up most of the tourist trade. How they are coping is another thing entirely, but I would expect China to be offering more than a little help.

Kim Jong-un pictured with US President Donald Trump in 2018

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