Rumours are circulating as North Korean media remains tight lipped (Picture: EPA/PA)

North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un has either died or is in a ‘vegetative state’ following botched heart surgery, journalists in the region have claimed.

A team of Chinese medical experts were sent to advise on how to treat the 36-year-old leader, three sources close to the situation said.

Vice director of HKSTV Hong Kong Satellite Television Shijian Xingzou said a ‘very solid source’ told her Kim had died. Yesterday Japanese magazine Shukan Gendai reported he was in a ‘vegetative state’ after a delay in a simple heart procedure left him severely ill.

Global speculation has mounted over the leader as state media in Pyongyang has remained tight lipped about his health and whereabouts. While there has been no confirmation of the dictator’s death, #KimJongUndead has been trending on Twitter.


The despot has not been seen publicly since a Government meeting on April 11 (Picture: AP)

He reportedly clutched his chest and fell to the ground during a trip to the countryside earlier this month (Picture: SIPA USA)

Shukan Gendai said Kim clutched his chest and fell to the ground during a visit to the countryside earlier this month.



A Chinese medical expert close to the situation told the weekly publication a stent procedure was needed and was done either badly or far too late, causing further complications.

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If the tyrant does die, it is thought his sister Kim Yo-jong is likely to take over.

Cheong Seong-Chang, an analyst at South Korea’s private Sejong Institute said social upheaval would not be likely in the event of the leader’s death.

He said Kim Yo-jong, is already exercising significant influence within the government and that most members of Pyongyang’s leadership share an interest with the Kim family in maintaining the North’s system.

Earlier this week the leaders’ health was reportedly being monitored by US intelligence officials, who were thought to have been told he was in ‘grave danger’ after his cardiovascular operation.

Former CIA deputy division chief for North Korea Bruce Klingner told CNN previous rumors about Kim being in poor health had turned out to be false, and that the country’s extreme secrecy made it difficult to establish the facts.

He said: ‘There have been a number of recent rumours about Kim’s health (smoking, heart, and brain). If Kim is hospitalised, it would explain why he wasn’t present on the important April 15 celebrations.

‘But, over the years, there have been a number of false health rumours about Kim Jong-un or his father. We’ll have to wait and see.’

The despot was last seen publicly on April 11 at a government meeting.

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