# Kim Jong Un "In Grave Condition" **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [April 21, 2020, 3:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kim-jong-un-in-grave-condition/852250 "2020-04-21T03:52:50Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![asahi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asahi/32/8693_2.png) [@asahi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asahi)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2020, 2:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kim-jong-un-in-grave-condition/852250/61 "2020-04-28T02:36:33Z")
> [@Northern\_Piper](#): > > Isn’t the simplest explanation expoanation that coronavirus is rampant in North Korea? The NK gov’t can’t publicly admit that their Glorious Leader has allowed a foreign disease into the country, so everything is continuing just as normal in the news media «Nothing to see here, move along, all is well under the Glorious Kim’s great leadership». > > But behind the scenes, Kim has hopped on his train and is self-isolating away from the areas where the disease is rampant, and will move on again if it pops up anywhere near him. > > That would also explain the rumours of a Chinese medical delegation - not to treat Kim, but to give advice about how the coronavirus spreads and possible containment measures. Quite possible, indeed. ---
**Author:** ![RioRico](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f04885/32.png) [@RioRico](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RioRico)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2020, 3:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kim-jong-un-in-grave-condition/852250/62 "2020-04-28T03:09:56Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > That’s _hilarious._ Mr Kim dies. Ms Kim takes over. Trimp sends congratulations. Hilarity ensues. Or nukes. ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2020, 3:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kim-jong-un-in-grave-condition/852250/63 "2020-04-28T03:25:25Z")
I read that as «Hillary ensues.». What, in Trump’s White House? ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2020, 3:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kim-jong-un-in-grave-condition/852250/64 "2020-04-28T03:32:10Z")
> [@RioRico](#): > > Trimp sends congratulations. Hilarity ensues. Lock her up! ---
**Author:** ![DWMarch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dwmarch/32/1010_2.png) [@DWMarch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DWMarch)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2020, 6:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kim-jong-un-in-grave-condition/852250/65 "2020-04-28T06:20:51Z")
> [@RioRico](#): > > Mr Kim dies. Ms Kim takes over. Trimp sends congratulations. Hilarity ensues. Or nukes. I was thinking about something like this for the weirdest election scenario thread. Kim Jong-un passes on. His sister takes over. Trump wants to meet her in person and when he does, greets her in the manner he is accustomed to greeting women in. The resulting scuffle between bodyguards does not turn out well for anyone. Pence is informed he is now President but we are at war with North Korea, whose new leader will only call the war off if he apologizes to her in person, by himself. Pence has a heart attack on the spot. Nancy Pelosi becomes President, calls the leader of NK. They are both laughing so hard they call off the war. ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2020, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kim-jong-un-in-grave-condition/852250/66 "2020-04-28T15:09:13Z")
> [@asahi](#): > > Quite possible, indeed. South Korea is thinking along the same lines: [North Korea’s absent Kim may be trying to avoid coronavirus: South Korean cabinet minister](https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/north-korea-kim-jong-un-south-korea-1.5547438) > [@](#): > > Fear of catching the coronavirus could have kept North Korean leader Kim Jong Un away from state ceremonies for a key holiday in mid-April, a South Korean minister said on Tuesday as speculation swirled over Kim’s whereabouts and health. > … > South Korea’s Unification Minister Kim Yeon-chul, who oversees engagement with the North, said it was plausible that Kim decided against attending because of the coronavirus, given the stringent steps his government has taken to head off an outbreak. > > “It is true that he had never missed the anniversary for Kim Il Sung’s birthday since he took power, but many anniversary events including celebrations and a banquet had been cancelled because of coronavirus concerns,” the unification minister told a parliamentary hearing. ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2020, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kim-jong-un-in-grave-condition/852250/67 "2020-04-28T18:27:03Z")
> [@DWMarch](#): > > I was thinking about something like this for the weirdest election scenario thread. Kim Jong-un passes on. His sister takes over. Trump wants to meet her in person and when he does, greets her in the manner he is accustomed to greeting women in. The resulting scuffle between bodyguards does not turn out well for anyone. Pence is informed he is now President but we are at war with North Korea, whose new leader will only call the war off if he apologizes to her in person, by himself. Pence has a heart attack on the spot. Nancy Pelosi becomes President, calls the leader of NK. They are both laughing so hard they call off the war. Lovely! ---
**Author:** ![Bijou\_Drains](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bijou_drains/32/2814_2.png) [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2020, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kim-jong-un-in-grave-condition/852250/68 "2020-04-30T20:02:47Z")
Taiwan’s intelligence head says dear leader is sick. No specifics beyond that . ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2020, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kim-jong-un-in-grave-condition/852250/69 "2020-04-30T20:08:00Z")
> [@Bijou\_Drains](#): > > Taiwan’s intelligence head says dear leader is sick. No specifics beyond that . I am a bit skeptical that Taiwan would have more knowledge about this than what South Korea is willing to reveal (given that North Korea is a low intelligence priority for Taiwan but it is of immense importance to South Korean intelligence.) Taiwan could be wrong, or South Korea knows too and is being tight-lipped about Kim being ill. ---
**Author:** ![MrsTime](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d26b3c/32.png) [@MrsTime](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrsTime)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2020, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kim-jong-un-in-grave-condition/852250/70 "2020-04-30T22:19:03Z")
It wouldn’t hurt my feelings if Un has croaked. However they say his sister would become the dictator and apparently she is just as ruthless as Un. ---
**Author:** ![Warm\_blood](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/df705f/32.png) [@Warm\_blood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Warm_blood)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2020, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kim-jong-un-in-grave-condition/852250/71 "2020-04-30T22:38:27Z")
> [@Northern\_Piper](#): > > South Korea is thinking along the same lines: > > [North Korea’s absent Kim may be trying to avoid coronavirus: South Korean cabinet minister](https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/north-korea-kim-jong-un-south-korea-1.5547438) :dubious: If there’s any leader on this planet who would have the easiest time imposing social distancing measures, it’s Kim Jong-Un. He never directly interacts with members of the general public, and the country’s (which was already isolated from the rest of the world to begin with) been on lockdown since February. I’m not sure what South Korea’s endgame is behind these explanations for Jong-Un’s absence, but they don’t pass muster at all. ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2020, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kim-jong-un-in-grave-condition/852250/72 "2020-04-30T23:25:26Z")
Even with a completely closed border, the virus could spread. One study found coronavirides floating on particles of air pollution. I think this explanation (virus in NK) is possible, but why such a long duration? ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2020, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kim-jong-un-in-grave-condition/852250/73 "2020-04-30T23:36:03Z")
> [@MrsTime](#): > > It wouldn’t hurt my feelings if Un has croaked. However they say his sister would become the dictator and apparently she is just as ruthless as Un. Karen Jong Un? ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2020, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kim-jong-un-in-grave-condition/852250/74 "2020-05-01T00:01:57Z")
> [@Dr\_Paprika](#): > > Even with a completely closed border, the virus could spread… And the border isn’t completely closed. Once the virus crosses it, a spread in NK is just as likely and fast as other places in the world. North Korea isn’t exactly known for thinly distributing their citizens. Indeed, plump leader likes the adoration of crowds and lavish human displays, the ideal breeding ground for such a phenomena. ---
**Author:** ![I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/i_love_me_vol.i/32/521_2.png) [@I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/I_Love_Me_Vol.I)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2020, 4:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kim-jong-un-in-grave-condition/852250/75 "2020-05-01T04:12:19Z")
> [@Bijou\_Drains](#): > > Trump claims he has a good idea of his status but won’t talk about it. In fairness, as president of US of A with its myriad intelligence agencies Trump probably has as much good info on the subject as anyone outside of Kim’s immediate circle. My WAG is: if Kim is dead, Trump probably knows about it. There is no reason for him to brag about knowing secrets, though. What an asshole. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2020, 4:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kim-jong-un-in-grave-condition/852250/76 "2020-05-01T04:17:23Z")
> [@Dr\_Paprika](#): > > Even with a completely closed border, the virus could spread. One study found coronavirides floating on particles of air pollution. I think this explanation (virus in NK) is possible, but why such a long duration? There are a few international flights in and out of Pyongyang every week, and isn’t there some contact between people at the borders? ---
**Author:** ![Bijou\_Drains](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bijou_drains/32/2814_2.png) [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2020, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kim-jong-un-in-grave-condition/852250/77 "2020-05-01T14:28:46Z")
N. Korean defector who is a S. Korea lawmaker said he’s 99% sure Kim is pining for the fjords. ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2020, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kim-jong-un-in-grave-condition/852250/78 "2020-05-01T15:09:40Z")
> [@Bijou\_Drains](#): > > N. Korean defector who is a S. Korea lawmaker said he’s 99% sure Kim is pining for the fjords. Maybe he’s hearing the old jingle in his head “Have you driven a fjord, lately?” NK does have more tools at its disposal to contain the virus if it entered. Being a police state, they could enforce social distancing with an iron fist or if a village is full of covid, go in and massacre the populace. ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2020, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kim-jong-un-in-grave-condition/852250/79 "2020-05-01T15:14:30Z")
> [@QuickSilver](#): > > Karen Jong Un? She is already talking to your manager… ---
**Author:** ![Bijou\_Drains](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bijou_drains/32/2814_2.png) [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2020, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kim-jong-un-in-grave-condition/852250/80 "2020-05-01T16:17:02Z")
NY Times: But this year alone, Mr. Kim disappeared for 21 days between Jan. 26 and Feb. 16, and for 19 days between March 22 and April 10. And he’s had other periods where he was not seen in public, one of them was 41 days. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kim-jong-un-in-grave-condition/852250.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kim-jong-un-in-grave-condition/852250.md?page=5)