Kim Jong Un death rumours spread online as North Korea releases photos
North Korean state media has released photographs of leader Kim Jong Un attending a public event, pushing back against unverified social media rumours that he died from a brain haemorrhage.
The claims began spreading over the weekend of October 17-18. Online posts suggested the 42-year-old leader suffered a medical emergency, fell into a coma and was rushed to Beijing for treatment. Some accounts even claimed his powerful sister, Kim Yo Jong, had taken control of the country.
However, the Korean Central News Agency published images on Tuesday showing Kim touring a national clothing and footwear exhibition in Pyongyang the previous day. The state news outlet reported he inspected products from more than 270 factories and discussed improving the quality of domestically made goods.
While KCNA did not directly mention the death rumours, the timely release of the photos serves as a direct contradiction to the claims. No credible evidence or medical records ever supported the online speculation.
Tracking the rumours
The rumours trace back to Xie Wanjun, a Chinese dissident linked to the China Democracy Party. He alleged on the social media platform X that Kim had died after receiving medical care in China. Xie also claimed Chinese troops had entered Pyongyang while Kim Yo Jong managed a political handover.
It is rumored that recently,Kim Jong-un, General Secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea and Supreme Leader of North Korea, suffered a severe cerebral hemorrhage and fell into a coma. Although a team of medical experts from Peking Union Medical College Hospital was dispatched to North Korea to assist in his treatment, the poor medical conditions in North Korea forced Kim Jong-un to be transferred to Peking Union Medical College Hospital for emergency treatment. However, due to the severity of his condition and the fact that the optimal window for treatment had passed, Kim Jong-un succumbed to his injuries and died. His body has been secretly transported back to North Korea, and the news of his death is being kept under wraps.
— Wanjun Xie (@xie_wanjun) October 18, 2026
These allegations quickly made their way into international tabloids and online forums. South Korean intelligence officials have long stated that Kim faces cardiovascular health risks due to his weight but recently told lawmakers he showed no signs of serious health problems.
Rumors of the death of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un have been circulating online for days, but Kim Jong Un has not yet made a public appearance to deny them. This indirectly confirms that the rumors of Kim Jong Un’s death are likely true. Furthermore, it is rumored that after Kim Jong-un’s death, the North Korean regime has not been transferred to his daughter Kim Ju-ae, but is currently in the hands of his sister Kim Yo-jong. After assuming power, Kim Yo-jong immediately activated loudspeaker broadcasts to South Korea and fired 201 warning shots. She also warned South Korea that North Korea was considering a comprehensive upgrade of its tactical strike capabilities. This sudden intensification of threats against South Korea is clearly aimed at strengthening her control over the North Korean military and consolidating her power through strong external threats. This indirectly confirms the rumors that Kim Jong-un is dead and that Kim Yo-jong is currently in control of the regime; these rumors are likely true.
— Wanjun Xie (@xie_wanjun) October 19, 2026
This is not the first time false reports about Kim’s death have circulated. In April 2020, similar rumours spread when he missed celebrations for his grandfather’s birthday. That speculation ended weeks later when state media released video of him at a factory opening.
South Korean financial markets briefly dipped on Tuesday when the latest rumours gained traction. However, analysts said the drop was caused by normal trading patterns rather than fears of instability in Pyongyang.
Meanwhile, tensions remain high on the Korean peninsula. Just a day earlier, Kim Yo Jong warned that North Korea might deploy more tactical weapons and restart propaganda broadcasts along the border.
