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[np-related]

Despite the dubious nature of the rumour, the reports continued to gather steam, especially when a couple of American news outlets reported on the claims.

More rumors on #Weibo dealing with North Korea, usual number of cars at NK embassy, Kim Jong-un assassination attempt, etc. Search 朝鲜 — Joe Xu (@JoeXu) February 10, 2012

Seriously, this is crazy. Kim Jong-Un reported assassinated in Beijing and no one can seem to figure out if it’s true or not. — Grace Suh (@Grace_Suh) February 10, 2012

Kim Jong Un allegedly assassinated and Chinese military crossing the NK border. This is like a really good book…but like in real life. — Brian Hiltwine (@bhiltwine) February 10, 2012

Weibo is in many ways the Chinese equivalent of Twitter, and disseminates news at a rapid pace. People were tipped off that there was something happening that involved Jong-un because of the mass of cars parked outside of his residence.

One person on Weibo wrote (poor translation), “confirmed reports, the top leaders in # Korea # # jinzhengen was assassinated # . Reportedly occurred at 2:45 on the 10th, gold and three fat was assassinated in their own villa, the Korean Embassy in Beijing has brought together more than 30 cars, the scale of more than Kim Jong-il’s death the situation.”

Yet many Twitter users exercised caution, aware that news like this often spreads without much to sustain it.

A sample of the dubious tweeters:

Kim Jong Un apparently assasinated in Beijing. Source: ‘Chinese Twitter’. What does that even mean? One Chinese person’s account? or @China? — Adam Thompson (@AdamThompson1) February 10, 2012

Wait for confirmation on Kim Jong Un death rumors. Twitter is also reporting that “Jonas Brothers are the best band.” — Matt Binder (@MattBinder) February 10, 2012

So is Kim Jong-Un dead or not? — Castor Jay (@castorjay) February 10, 2012

This isn’t the first time that rumours of an assassination have swirled around the North Korean family.

Within hours of Kim Jong-il’s death in December, South Korean newspapers started speculating that instead of succumbing to a heart attack on a train, the Dear Leader had actually been murdered.

The Korea Times printed an interview with political scientist An Chan-Il, who said Kim Jong-il could have been killed by adversaries in the North Korean government who didn’t agree with his policies.

“After his third son Jong-un was named for a dynastic leadership succession, many military officers, especially those in their 50s, were dismissed,” Mr. An told the newspaper. “I think these people could have held deep resentment about Kim and North Korea’s next leader.