hankyoreh

By Choi Hyun-june, staff reporter

After remaining out of sight for forty days, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un finally appeared in public. He was carrying a cane in his left hand, suggesting that he had received treatment on his leg.

In its Oct. 14 edition, North Korean state-run newspaper the Rodong Sinmun ran articles and pictures on the first, second, and third pages about Kim’s inspection of a residence for scientists that was recently built in Pyongyang. While the date of the photos is not clear, they were likely taken around Oct. 10, the 69th anniversary of the establishment of the North Korean Workers Party.

The last time that Kim had been seen at a public event was 40 days ago, on Sep. 3, when he attended a concert by the Moranbong Band.

Since Kim is carrying a cane in his left hand, it is very likely that he received treatment on his leg, but South Korean government officials still think it is possible that he is suffering from gout. “Kim’s family has a history of heart disease. If he has gout, his health could be in jeopardy,” said one source connected with North Korea.

Now that Kim has returned from his longest absence since taking power in 2011 and demonstrated that he is still well, wild speculation about his health is expected to subside. Since the middle of September, rumors had spread online and in certain Chinese and South Korean papers that Kim had been deposed or was brain dead.

Some analysts think that Kim’s appearance was motivated by the prospects of dialogue taking place between North and South Korea. Kim may have been reacting to President Park Geun-hye’s remark the previous day that she is willing to discuss the May 24 measures with North Korea and to the fact that the second round of high-level talks between North and South Korea are scheduled to take place at the end of this month or the beginning of the next month.

“The North Korean government is adept at propaganda and spin, and it appears to have chosen this timing to keep open the possibility of dialogue,” said Kim Chang-soo, head of research at the Korea National Strategy Institute.

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