North Korea Releases Photos of Kim Jong Un at Clothing Expo
Source reports published 20 Oct 2026, 1:10 pm – 9:45 pm AEST
North Korean state media released photographs showing Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un at a clothing and shoe expo with his daughter. The images appeared after viral rumors of his death had circulated on social media.
What happened
- North Korean state media published images of Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un at a clothing and shoe expo with his daughter.
- The images were released after rumors of his death circulated on social media.
- Spokesperson Wanjun Xie, chairman of the Chinese Democratic Party, alleged that Kim suffered a severe brain hemorrhage and was taken to a hospital in Beijing, claiming he died and his body was secretly returned to North Korea.
- South Korean intelligence officials reported hearing nothing to support these claims.
- Previous false alarms regarding Kim’s health have occurred, including a 2020 claim by a defector.
- Uncertainty surrounding Kim Jong Un’s succession, coupled with his lifestyle and family history, fuels speculation.
- The intelligence agencies watch Kim Jong Un closely, acknowledging the difficulty of obtaining reliable information from North Korea due to its secretive nature and potential for disinformation.
Original reporting
- Washington Examiner: North Korea releases photos of Kim Jong Un at clothing expo after death rumors
2026-10-20T03:10:33+00:00 - BBC: Kim Jong Un: Why do rumours about his death keep coming back?
2026-10-20T11:45:49.995000+00:00