A South Korean diplomat has sensationally claimed that Kim Jong-Un is in a coma and his sister is set to take control of North Korea.
Chang Song-min, an ex-aide to late-South Korean president Kim Dae-jung, claimed the DPRK is hiding the truth about its leader’s deteriorating health and that he understands the dictator is in a comatose state.
It comes as speculation over Kim’s true health condition has been mounting due to a lack of public appearances this year.
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Speaking with local media, Chang Song-min said: ‘I assess him to be in a coma, but his life has not ended.’
He added that the dictator’s sister, Kim Yo-jong, 33, is in prime position to take over some of her brother’s powers.
‘A complete succession structure has not been formed, so Kim Yo-jong is being brought to the fore as the vacuum cannot be maintained for a prolonged period,’ he said.
Chang Song-min’s claims come despite North Korean media releasing pictures claiming to be of Kim attending a government meeting on Thursday. However news agency Reuters said it could not ‘independently verify’ the images.
Earlier this week, it was claimed that Kim Jong Un had promoted his sister to second-in-command of North Korea.
Kim Yo Jong, 32, is now in charge of North Korean policy towards the US and South Korea, effectively making her his de-facto deputy, spy chiefs said.