Where is North Korean leader Kim Jong-un? It’s been a big question over the last few weeks since the North Korean leader has vanished from public view since April 11 — an absence so startling it’s made front page headlines worldwide. The uncertainty has reignited speculation over Kim Jong-un’s health and political future, considering he has had no public appearances in weeks.
According to political analysts, the 34-year-old leader could be in hiding due to fears over his health or he could be setting the stage for a political move. The absence has sparked rampant speculation on news and social media, with unverified reports of him having health issues — particularly a heart problem — while some claims have suggested his demise, however these theories have yet to be confirmed.
“It’s not surprising, yet it is still mysterious” says Jong-un expert, Joshua Berida from the Atlantic Institute. “Due to the secrecy of the North Korean government, North Koreans and the world for that matter do not know where the current leader is. This creates a huge amount of instability”.
The non-existent access to North Korea’s political inner circle makes it impossible to determine the cause of the leader’s disappearance.
“North Korea is unlike other countries where the news is free and journalists have access to crucial information. Kim Jong-un is a master of obscuring facts,” explains Joshua Berida. “Even though I’m an expert, I’m limited in what I can find out due to the intense wall of mystery and silence surrounding the country’s leader”.
Furthermore, China and Russia, two countries with close ties to North Korea, are refusing to confirm or deny reports of the leader’s health. It’s a move that may go both ways in terms of staying away from interference and pushing Kim Jong-un closer together with these two world powers.
The situation is worrying for the people of North Korea, who rely heavily on their leader’s word and leadership. Given his silence, there are some possible questions as to whether this could lead to an even greater divide between Pyongyang and the rest of the world.
International Reactions
The reactions from abroad have been distinguishable. While many media sources have been speculating about Kim Jong-un’s possible health problems, other nations have taken a more cautious approach.
South Korea has maintained the stance that the speculation was false, issuing a statement that the North Korean leader is “alive and well”. Former US Ambassador to Seoul, Mark Lippert, concurs; “No one has conclusive evidence”.
Russia has likewise downplayed any suggestion of the North Korean leader’s ill health and have been more firm with their response that the whereabouts and health of North Korean leaders is an internal North Korean issue.
However, China’s reaction has been less than convincing, with the government issuing no official statement. This lack of response could be perceived as a form of cowardice towards the situation or simply a show of cultural respect towards their neighbour.
The absence of news regarding the North Korean leader continues to fuel conjecture, especially as the world is looking to North Korea to make the first move in cooling tensions that have been escalating between Pyongyang, the US, and South Korea.
What are the Implications?
The implications of Kim Jong-un’s absence may vary drastically depending on the reason for his disappearance. Should it be due to health issues, some worry about the lack of an authoritative figure. Or if he steps down, who will take the reins?
The latter is a more likely scenario and one that carries a more severe consequence. Should the North Korean leader abdicate, then a power struggle will likely ensue within their government. Additionally, it could lead to changes of North Korea’s foreign policy, and that has far-reaching implications, especially for countries such as the US and South Korea.
Regardless, since Kim Jong-un’s disappearance he has yet to make any appearances in media, including his habitual appearances at the various official ceremonies. This could be taken as an indication of his seemingly frail health—or worse.
The uncertainty has thrown North Korea into a precarious position, as the country’s constitution states that the outside world must be informed of Kim Jong-un’s death within 30 days; a worrying contradiction.
Will he Reappear?
Kim Jong-un’s absence has been worrying those in the public and private sectors. The lack of knowledge of his whereabouts is reminiscent of Kim Il-sung’s disappearance from public view, a mysterious situation that prompted much speculation yet ended with his ‘resurrection’ unveiling himself to the public after three months of absence.
Albeit, the same cannot be said for Kim Jong-il, the son of Kim Il-sung, who passed away unexpectedly in 2011. This puts the current leader, Kim Jong-un, in a delicate position.
Ultimately, the most pressing questions are whether the leader is healthy and when he will return to the spotlight. These are questions the political world and North Koreans alike are eager to find out.
Culture of Secrecy
The North Korean Leader has been considered one of the world’s most mysterious figures due to the culture of secrecy that shrouds the whereabouts and health of the supreme leader. This culture has continued on under Kim Jong-un’s rule, and it seems that the only way to know for sure what is happening inside North Korea is for Kim Jong-un himself to appear.
The thought of a dead leader making no appearance is nothing new, as it is not unheard of for a new president or leader to be chosen without their predecessor’s death. Cases such as this could be the situation at present; however, this information remains inaccessible and speculative.
The disappearance of the leader has become a continuous source of international discussion and scrutiny as the political landscape in North Korea remains ambiguous. As a result, the situation holds huge implications domestically and internationally.
Preparedness of the Public
As news of Kim Jong-un’s whereabouts trickle out slowly and the month-long absence continues, North Koreans are left to wait in anticipation. South Koreans and the international press have been digesting the news with much scrutiny for further clues, however a shroud of mystery still remains.
Amidst the speculation however, North Korean citizens are not allowing themselves to worry too much. North Korean citizens have a long history of preparedness for the worst. Although a majority of North Koreans cannot access information on their leader’s whereabouts, citizens remain prepared for whatever outcome the future may bring.
There are currently no clear answers as to why the leader has been missing or what his health status may be. However, given the long-time practice of secretiveness and the lack of access to crucial information, the current absence of Kim Jong-un like his predecessors’, may indeed be another iconic moment in the history of North Korean politics.
