North Korea releases Kim Jong Un looking at shoes & clothing photos following rumours of his death

North Korea leader Kim Jong Un, 42, was seen in photos visiting a clothing and shoe trade exhibition in Pyongyang with his wife and daughter.

The photos were released and published by North Korean state media on Oct. 20, 2026.

They came in the wake of rumours that Kim had died.

What photo showed

One photo showed the supreme leader inspecting a pink sneaker held by his daughter, Kim Ju Ae, 13.

The photos were apparently taken on Oct. 19.

Rumours of Kim's death

Social media posts on Oct. 18 had alleged that Kim suffered a severe brain hemorrhage and went into "coma", Korea Times reported.

The posts even claimed that Kim was transferred to Peking Union Medical College Hospital in China due to North Korea's poor medical facilities.

But there was no evidence to back those claims.

The social media posts were shared on Sunday by Xie Wanjun, who lives in the United States.

He identifies as the chairman of the banned China Democracy Party.

Rumours over the years

Kim came to power in 2011.

Since then, there have been multiple rumours of his death over the years.

For example, he was rumoured to have died following failed heart surgery, and was at one point said to have been assassinated.

His health has been the subject of scrutiny over the years, owing to limited access to information about North Korea.

His father and grandfather both died from heart attacks, The Sydney Morning Herald reported.

In 2014, he used a cane to walk.

This was after he reappeared in the media following a prolonged absence.