Background Information
It was reported in April 2020 that North Korean leader Kim Jong-un had died, however there has been no confirmation from North Korea of his death. The North Korean media has yet to release any information regarding his death and the North Korean government has yet to confirm or deny the reports. Although, the lack of information has left many people speculating about the truth of the matter.
Relevant Data
Little is known about the health of the North Korean leader and news of possible health issues for Kim Jong-un began to surface in April. Reports initially indicated that the leader had suffered from a cardiovascular complication, had undergone surgery and was in critical condition. However, since then there has been a limited amount of information available.
Perspectives from Experts
The initial report of Kim Jong-un’s possible death was met with scepticism from experts, due to the lack of confirmation from official sources in North Korea. For instance, Jean H-Lee, a North Korea expert from the US-Korea Institute at Johns Hopkins University commented on the reports, “We don’t have a clear indication of Kim’s status. But nothing is being acknowledged in North Korea.”
Furthermore, Gareth Porter, an American historian and investigative journalist, discussed the possibility of the North Korean leader being dead on the podcast “Korea stand”, and stated that the lack of any proof or confirmation is highly telling. He said, “I think if the leader of any other nation in the world had died like this, the news would be everywhere by now. It’s the quietness around what has happened in North Korea that is really remarkable and it tells us something about the conditions in the country.”
Accuracy of Reports
Reporters and media outlets around the world have been attempting to verify the information about Kim Jong-un’s death by speaking to sources inside North Korea and in neighbouring countries. However, it is difficult to verify the accuracy of these reports due to the secretive nature of the North Korean government. Despite these difficulties, the reports continue to be shared by media outlets around the world and speculation is mounting as to Kim Jong-un’s true status.
Effect on North Korea
If the reports are true and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has passed away, it could drastically alter the dynamics of the country. The North Korean government is already highly secretive, and the death of their leader could cause further instability. Furthermore, if the leader has in fact passed away, it would be the first time in over 70 years that North Korea would be without a leader from the ruling Kim family. These developments could have long-term impacts on North Korea and could have a ripple effect beyond the nation’s borders.
Legitimacy of Reports
One way to attempt to verify the legitimacy of the reports is to look at the media outlets that are spreading them. Since the initial report of Kim Jong-un’s death, multiple media outlets have shared the story. However, some of these outlets, such as the Daily Beast, have admitted themselves that their source for the story was anonymous, making it difficult to determine the accuracy of the information.
Hypothetical Outcomes
Many experts have discussed the hypothetical outcomes of Kim Jong-un’s death, ranging from the possibility of a power struggle within the North Korean government to North Korea’s relations with other countries being drastically altered. While the outcome of the North Korean leader’s death is uncertain, the potential effects of it are vast and could have severe consequences for the region and the world.
Official Response
North Korea has yet to confirm or deny the reports of Kim Jong-un’s death and their lack of official response has only intensified the speculation and rumours. Some experts have argued that the North Korean government could be taking extreme precautionary measures in order to prevent any potential backlash if the news proves to be true. Others have argued that, due to the extreme levels of control in North Korea, the government could be trying to contain the story so as not to cause panic.
Prevalence of Rumours
Reports of Kim Jong-un’s death have quickly spread across the world, producing an abundance of speculation and rumours. Social media platforms such as Twitter and Facebook have allowed the story to be shared across the globe in a matter of hours. Additionally, it has become increasingly difficult for professional news outlets to verify the accuracy of the reports, due to the secretive nature of the North Korean government.
Potential Implications Beyond North Korea
The potential implications of Kim Jong-un’s death extend far beyond North Korea and could have a dramatic effect on the region as a whole and on the global geopolitical stage. For instance, North Korea’s relationship with neighbouring countries such as China could be drastically altered, as could its relationship with the United States. Additionally, it could also alter the balance of power in the region and could potentially disrupt the current state of affairs.
Implications for the Global Economy
Experts have speculated that the death of Kim Jong-un could also have major implications for the global economy, particularly if North Korea descends into chaos. The nation is already isolated and thus any potential increase in instability could have detrimental impacts on the global economy. North Korea is also a nuclear power and any potential changes in the nation’s leadership could also have implications on global peace and security.
International Reaction
The international community has also been watching the situation in North Korea closely, with many countries issuing statements cautioning against speculation and rumors. For instance, China released a statement calling on the international community to “respect North Korea’s system, stability and its right to choose its own way of development”. South Korea has also released a statement saying that it is “closely monitoring the situation and preparing for various scenarios”, indicating the level of attention the situation is receiving from the South Korean government.
Analysis of Response
Overall, the international response to the news of Kim Jong-un’s possible death has been one of caution and restraint. The various nations of the world have been cautious in not spreading rumors and instead focusing on gathering facts from reliable sources. This indicates that, at least publicly, many countries are viewing the situation in North Korea with a wary eye and are taking proper measures to avoid speculation and to be prepared for any potential scenarios.
