Kim Jong Un seen walking at North Korean port city: US sources

He was said to be inspecting the construction of a resort complex there.

Kayla Wong | April 24, 2020, 03:07 PM

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has been spotted walking at the eastern port city of Wonsan in North Korea, The Sydney Morning Herald reported, citing sources from the United States.

The Australia press further said South Korean media had reported that the supreme leader was inspecting construction of a resort complex in the city's tourist area.

Multiple news outlets, such as Central News Agency, have also cited South Korean site Ichannela as saying that Kim headed to a private beach resort there after a few members of his staff fell ill.

Rumours of Kim being gravely ill

The report comes days after the supreme leader has been rumoured to be down with a "grave" illness following a heart surgery.

South Korean media Yonhap News Agency subsequently dispelled the rumour, saying that no unusual activity has been spotted in North Korea regarding Kim's health.

Rumours of Kim's illness first appeared following his absence at the anniversary honouring the birth of the country's founder and his grandfather, Kim Il Sung on April 15.

U.S. President Donald Trump, in response also said on Thursday, April 23, that reports of Kim's death were incorrect.

Public fascinated by rumours of Kim's death

Rumours surrounding Kim's health had been widely reported and speculated for the past week, partly due to a general fascination with the isolated country, and partly because his death might lead to regime instability, resulting in even greater geopolitical uncertainties.

While much about the country remains unknown, Kim is at least a known certainty to the outside world.

This is not the first time that rumours about the closed-off nation have made its rounds, including those that speculate on the North Korean leader's health.

Kim has even been speculated to have executed his uncle by letting 120 wild dogs attack and devour him.

But that event is not exactly confirmed to have happened.

North Korea said to be incapable of dealing with widespread outbreak

While North Korea says it is free from Covid-19 so far, the claim has been disputed by Robert Abrams, the commander of the U.S. forces in South Korea, who said it was impossible.

The country's health infrastructure has also been said to be "crumbling" and incapable of dealing with a widespread outbreak of the coronavirus.

Top image via Getty Images