# Unconfirmed reports that Kim Jong-Un may be dead **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [October 20, 2026, 12:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unconfirmed-reports-that-kim-jong-un-may-be-dead/1033984 "2026-10-20T00:02:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2026, 12:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unconfirmed-reports-that-kim-jong-un-may-be-dead/1033984/1 "2026-10-20T00:02:36Z")
According to tweets by the leader of a Chinese opposition party, Kim suffered a cerebral hemmorhage, was taken to a hospital in Beijing, and passed away, and China has dispatched 9,000 troops to Pyongyang. North Korea has apparently restarted propaganda loudspeakers at the border with the south, state media has gone dark, and his sister Kim Yo-Jong has reportedly taken control of the government. > **[Kim Jong-un death rumours intensify, claims emerge sister Kim Yo-jong has...](https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/new-updates/kim-jong-un-death-rumours-intensify-claims-emerge-sister-kim-yo-jong-has-taken-power-9000-chinese-troops-sent-to-north-korea/articleshow/135055388.cms?from=mdr)** > > Kim Jong-un death rumours have surfaced on social media, with Wanjun Xie, chairman of the China Democracy Party, claiming that the North Korean leader died after suffering a cerebral haemorrhage. Xie also alleged that Kims sister, Kim Yo-jong, has... > **[Fears Kim Jong-un 'died of brain haemorrhage' as state-owned news site shuts](https://www.dailystar.co.uk/news/world-news/fears-kim-jong-un-died-37789034?int_source=nba)** > > The leader of the most secretive nation on planet Earth may be dead after rumours he suffered a brain haemorrhage appeared online As is usually the case within the Hermit Kingdom, this is unverified and it isn’t the first time reports of Kim’s death have come out, but if true, things have a potential to get very interesting. ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2026, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unconfirmed-reports-that-kim-jong-un-may-be-dead/1033984/2 "2026-10-20T00:12:15Z")
Unconfirmed report that he’s still alive: > **[SBS 뉴스](https://news.sbs.co.kr/news/newsMain.do)** (The preview doesn’t work well. New story about what he’s up to.) ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2026, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unconfirmed-reports-that-kim-jong-un-may-be-dead/1033984/3 "2026-10-20T00:18:23Z")
That link appears to just go to the site’s homepage. I can confirm that the Pyongyang Times’ website is offline. > **[Is Pyongyangtimes.com.kp down? Live status and problems past 24 hours](https://downforeveryoneorjustme.com/pyongyangtimes.com.kp?proto=http&www=1)** > > Live problems for Pyongyangtimes.com.kp. Error received? Down? Slow? Check what is going on. ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2026, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unconfirmed-reports-that-kim-jong-un-may-be-dead/1033984/4 "2026-10-20T00:19:57Z")
Let’s try this version of the link > **[Kim Jong-un Inspects Light Industry Exhibition, Calls to "Eliminate Gaps...](https://news.sbs.co.kr/english/article.do?news_id=N1008805470&plink=SHARE&cooper=COPY)** > > North Korean Workers' Party General Secretary Kim Jong-un visited an exhibition of light industry clothing and footwear, highlighting the production achievements of local industrial factories built under the "Regional Development 20×10 Policy." The... ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2026, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unconfirmed-reports-that-kim-jong-un-may-be-dead/1033984/5 "2026-10-20T00:25:29Z")
He’s young for a fatal stroke. Per Wikipedia: “born 8 January c. 1982–1984” Only a little over 40. He looks young in recent photos, too. ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2026, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unconfirmed-reports-that-kim-jong-un-may-be-dead/1033984/6 "2026-10-20T00:36:17Z")
None of the links are the sort I want to click on, but I’ll keep an eye on the NY Times to see if they offer a story about it. If true, it’s seismic. I’m not sure if it’s _more_ trustworthy that the story is being offered by the China Democracy Party – or _less_ so. Time will tell. > [@puzzlegal](#): > > He’s young for a fatal stroke. Maybe his stroke was caused by falling out of a high window. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2026, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unconfirmed-reports-that-kim-jong-un-may-be-dead/1033984/7 "2026-10-20T00:38:18Z")
He’s also obese and drinks heavily, and the North Korean healthcare system isn’t exactly state-of-the-art. ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2026, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unconfirmed-reports-that-kim-jong-un-may-be-dead/1033984/8 "2026-10-20T00:38:43Z")
Probably suffers from a little stress, too. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2026, 12:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unconfirmed-reports-that-kim-jong-un-may-be-dead/1033984/9 "2026-10-20T00:43:23Z")
When i googled him, Google said: “Social media rumors claim Kim Jong-un suffered a brain hemorrhage” Above a lot of low quality news reports. > [@Smapti](#): > > the North Korean healthcare system isn’t exactly state-of-the-art. One of the headlines i saw claimed North Korea asked China to take Kim because China has better healthcare than North Korea. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2026, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unconfirmed-reports-that-kim-jong-un-may-be-dead/1033984/10 "2026-10-20T00:48:07Z")
> [@puzzlegal](#): > > “Social media rumors claim Kim Jong-un suffered a brain hemorrhage” Specifically, the story originates with this tweet from Wanjun Xie, leader of the (banned) China Democracy Party; > When his dad died, North Korean state media didn’t report it until two days later, and notwithstanding the SBS link above, his last public appearance was on October 11th. It’s possible they’re trying to get their ducks in a row before making an announcement and publicized an event that actually occurred earlier than today in order to keep suspicion down. I’d certainly _like_ to believe it’s true, but we’ll have to wait and see. ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2026, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unconfirmed-reports-that-kim-jong-un-may-be-dead/1033984/11 "2026-10-20T01:01:39Z")
The _Economic Times_ of India seems to be the first credible media outlet to report the rumor, although they emphasize that it’s only a rumor. This whole thing seems to have been sparked by a speech [Kim’s sister gave yesterday](https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/north-koreas-kim-yo-jong-says-loudspeaker-broadcasts-toward-seoul-being-2026-10-19/) when she accused South Korea of escalating tensions along the border. Is that considered unusual? Reuters didn’t think it was unusual enough to mention in its story. The Asian markets certainly aren’t reacting as if they think the leader of North Korea has suddenly died. [Reuters.](https://www.reuters.com/markets/asia/) [Bloomberg.](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-10-19/stock-market-today-dow-s-p-live-updates?srnd=phx-markets) ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2026, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unconfirmed-reports-that-kim-jong-un-may-be-dead/1033984/12 "2026-10-20T01:05:57Z")
> [@Kent\_Clark](#): > > The _Economic Times_ of India seems to be the first credible media outlet to report the rumor, although they emphasize that it’s only a rumor. The Sun is also reporting the rumor, though I understand that calling them “credible” is a stretch. > **[Kim Jong-un ‘in COMA after suffering brain haemorrhage’, wild rumours claim](https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/40730186/kim-jong-un-coma-china-treatment/)** > > KIM Jong-un is in a coma after suffering a brain haemorrhage, according to wild internet claims. Social media users claim the North Korean tyrant was rushed to a Chinese hospital for urgent treatme… ---
**Author:** ![Odesio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/odesio/32/20003_2.png) [@Odesio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Odesio)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2026, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unconfirmed-reports-that-kim-jong-un-may-be-dead/1033984/13 "2026-10-20T01:18:51Z")
What are the odds of a woman successfully running North Korea? I imagine she’s ruthless, but is that something the generals will accept? Or have any potential dissenters been purged? ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2026, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unconfirmed-reports-that-kim-jong-un-may-be-dead/1033984/14 "2026-10-20T01:19:19Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > “wild internet claims” When _The Sun_ pours 1,000 grains of salt on a story, it doesn’t even count as clickbait. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2026, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unconfirmed-reports-that-kim-jong-un-may-be-dead/1033984/15 "2026-10-20T01:20:24Z")
Kim’s preferred heir is his daughter, who does have the slight disadvantage of being 12 years old. > **[Kim Ju Ae](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kim_Ju_Ae)** > > Kim Ju Ae\[a\] (Korean: 김주애; born c. 2012 or 2013) is the daughter of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and his wife Ri Sol Ju. The North Korean government has publicly disclosed little information about her, and details about her life, including her birth date and name, remain unconfirmed. The name "Ju Ae" was first mentioned by American basketball player Dennis Rodman after his visit to North Korea in 2013, but it has not been verified by either the North Korean government or South Korea's Natio... Meanwhile, the Korean Central News Agency’s website is also dark. > **[Is Kcna.kp down? Live status and problems past 24 hours](https://downforeveryoneorjustme.com/kcna.kp?proto=http&www=1)** > > Live problems for Kcna.kp. Error received? Down? Slow? Check what is going on. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2026, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unconfirmed-reports-that-kim-jong-un-may-be-dead/1033984/16 "2026-10-20T01:49:22Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > I’d certainly _like_ to believe it’s true, but we’ll have to wait and see. Is there any rain to believe his SA l sister, or whoever seized the reins, would be any better? ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2026, 2:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unconfirmed-reports-that-kim-jong-un-may-be-dead/1033984/17 "2026-10-20T02:24:05Z")
The New York Post says No. > **[Kim Jong Un ‘proof of life’ photos released by North Korea after wild rumors...](https://nypost.com/2026/10/19/world-news/north-korea-releases-proof-of-life-photos-of-kim-jong-un-after-wild-rumors-dictator-died-from-brain-hemorrhage/)** > > The images, published by North Korean state media on Monday, show a seemingly animated Kim examining children’s footwear. ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2026, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unconfirmed-reports-that-kim-jong-un-may-be-dead/1033984/18 "2026-10-20T02:26:15Z")
And as much as I hate to give the New York Post any credit at all (horrible publication, IMO), they’re probably right in this case. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2026, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unconfirmed-reports-that-kim-jong-un-may-be-dead/1033984/19 "2026-10-20T02:34:54Z")
The fact that North Korean state media is still dark - both the domestic _and_ English-language versions thereof - though, certainly suggests _something_ is amiss. Shades of Soviet media broadcasting Swan Lake on repeat for days whenever the General Secretary died. ---
**Author:** ![FlikTheBlue](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fliktheblue/32/10972_2.png) [@FlikTheBlue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FlikTheBlue)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2026, 2:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unconfirmed-reports-that-kim-jong-un-may-be-dead/1033984/20 "2026-10-20T02:51:21Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > It’s possible they’re trying to get their ducks in a row before making an announcement and publicized an event that actually occurred earlier than today in order to keep suspicion down. IMHO it makes it more likely that he is still alive, but in serious condition (a coma, on life support, etc.). That would probably make the internal situation in North Korea a lot more delicate than if he was dead. That being said, I’d rate the likelihood of his condition as being in his usual state of health \> being critically ill \> dead. Just my WAG. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unconfirmed-reports-that-kim-jong-un-may-be-dead/1033984.md?page=2)