NORTH Korea has released “proof of life” pictures of Kim Jong-un following wild social media claims the tyrant had died from a brain haemorrhage.
A flurry of bombshell rumours yesterday claimed the , fallen into a coma, and been .
Hours after the sensational claims, North Korean state media released images of Kim inspecting children’s shoes and women’s clothes at an apparel exhibition.
Pyongyang confirmed the dictator visited the clothes display on Monday – though these claims have not been verified by international watchdogs.
It remains unclear exactly when or where they were taken.
In one image, the North Korean leader can be seen leaning over to inspect a tiny pink shoe.
Another shows Kim standing with his legs apart and his arms outstretched as he speaks to an official.
He was also seen reaching towards a coat displayed on a mannequin with a uniformed posse flanking him.
His daughter and heir apparent Kim Ju-ae, 13, was also seen alongside him in the images wearing a light pink dress.
The apparent public appearance comes after a US-based Chinese dissident named Wanjun Xie claimed without evidence that Kim had fallen into a coma and died.
His social media account also claimed Kim had been rushed to a hospital due to the lack of sufficient medical facilities in , before dying.
The unverified claims went on to say the hermit kingdom ruler’s body had been secretly returned to Pyongyang.
Kim’s last appearance before state media released its latest images of the despot was on October 11 at a defence museum.
North Korea analyst Benedict Rogers said on Monday similar rumours of the tyrannical leader’s death had swirled in the past.
He told From The Newsroom, The Sun’s new YouTube channel: “There have been rumours before of his death. He doesn’t look a well man, he’s extremely overweight.
“What’s happened in the past when the supreme leader dies is that there’s an orchestrated outpouring of public grief.
“People are in the streets wailing and crying. Newsreaders are sounding very emotional.
“We haven’t seen anything like that yet. Either that will happen – or if he’s still alive, they’ll release some evidence that he is still alive.”
In 2020, a swarm of similar social media rumours claimed Kim had died after the dictator disappeared from the public eye for several months.
One and ready to hand over power to his sister, Kim Yo-jong , 38, during the saga.
The recent unsubstantiated rumours of Kim’s death sparked fresh speculation over who would take over the regime in the event he dies.
Experts say his powerful younger sister, Kim Yo-jong, 38, would take the reins of the hermit kingdom.
She already holds significant sway in the nuclear-armed regime and is said to be even more ruthless than her older brother.
Insiders previously revealed Kim Yo-jong was influenced by their dad Kim Jong-il’s most hardcore aides and advisers.
And on Monday, she said Pyongyang was mulling deploying additional tactical weapons near the border with South Korea.
Analysts believe Kim’s sister would take charge as an interim leader until the despot’s teenage daughter, , is old enough to head the regime.
Kim has bred his child to become a dictator, and in recent years has flanked her father at a number of high-profile events.
South Korean spies have long warned Ju-ae is the tyrant’s heir apparent – but she is yet to be officially designated as his successor.
The home-schooled youngster – the eldest child of Kim and his wife Ri Sol-ju – accompanying her dad on a state visit to China last year was the strongest indication yet.
Ju-ae ruffled feathers when she made her first public appearance in November 2022 at a missile launch – and has since been snapped at several curated events, often in strikingly similar outfits to her dad.
Should Ju-ae one day take control of North Korea, she would become the first female leader in its dynastic history.
Ju-ae’s rise to power could mark the beginning of an even more fearsome reign, sources say.
One insider told The Sun: “When we think about her upbringing and training to be a core North Korean elite then we know from her father and grandfather that she will be playing the bloodsport of .
“That will require her to cashier disloyal aides through violent means. It’s a job requirement for the leader.”
Kim Ju-ae’s first public appearance was in November 2022, during a missile launch, walking hand-in-hand with her dad.
In February 2023, brought his daughter to work – to .
She has since appeared alongside him at many more events, increasing speculation that she was Kim’s favourite child and will be handed control of the repressive regime after his death.
Bloodshed in North Korea is no secret to the world – with Kim and his father Kim Jong-il, who ruled from 1994 until his death in 2011, known for their ruthlessness.
And it has even gone beyond disloyal generals and subjects – with by firing squad in 2013.
Earlier this month, reports , according to South Korean spies.
The supreme leader weighs more than 310lb (140kg) at just 5ft 7ins, putting him at serious risk of cardiovascular disease, according to ‘s National Intelligence Service (NIS).
His heavy and body mass have raised serious questions about who would succeed him if he were to die.
The tyrant’s poor health follows a hereditary pattern as both his father, Kim Jong-il, and grandfather, Kim Il-sung, were obese and heavy smokers.
