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walking with an obvious limp. North Korea’s official Korean Central Television announced on Sept. 25 that Kim is in an “uncomfortable physical state”. It is the first admission from North Korea that Kim has health problems. Kim hasn’t appeared in public in a few weeks

By Yi Yong-in, staff reporter

A secretary of the North Korean ruling party made remarks apparently dismissing recent rumors about the ill health of Kim Jong-un, Minister of Unification Ryoo Kihl-jae reported on Oct. 5.

Ryoo relayed the remarks by Workers’ Party of Korea secretary for South Korean affairs and United Front Department director Kim Yang-gon while appearing that day on the KBS program “Sunday Diagnosis” to explain the outcome of a surprise South Korea visit by a senior North Korean delegation the previous.

“They didn’t talk about [Kim Jong-un’s health] at a meeting that was attended by a lot of people, and when I was traveling by car with Kim Yang-gon, I mentioned the reports about [Kim Jong-un] being sick and asked how he was, and he told me there was no problem,” Ryoo said.

“From his tone, I sensed there probably isn’t anything wrong with [Kim Jong-un’s] health,” he added.

On Sept. 25, North Korea’s official state-run Korean Central Television network aired archival footage from early August showing Kim Jong-un walking with an obvious limp while conducting a “field guidance” visit to the Chollima Tile Factory in Nampo.

“Our Leader, despite his ill health, continues to blaze a fiery trail of leadership for the people,” the broadcast said of Kim.

The footage, together with Kim’s long absence from public view, fueled speculations about the state of his health. Kim was last seen in public over a month ago, just after viewing a performance of the Moranbong Band on Sept. 3. Meanwhile, thank-you messages and gifts in his name have continued to be delivered to members of the North Korean public - suggesting he has not been impaired in his ability to execute duties.

Kim is reportedly experiencing problems with his legs due to excessive weight and activity, with overseas doctors brought to North Korea to perform treatment.

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