Arab News

TOKYO: Rumors about the North Korean leader, Kim Jong-un’s health and speculation over his possible death have increased over the past two weeks.

A Japanese Youtuber whose platform focuses on political and military criticism posted a video saying that the North Korean leader seems to be “dead or brain dead” and that United States and Japan were reportedly notified with information regarding his current status.

Joichiro Shinohara

“On April 15 Kim Jong-Un was confirmed as brain-dead, and the announcement is going to be made soon,” Joichiro Shinohara said in the YouTube video.

The YouTuber also mentioned that Kim Jong-Un had undergone heart surgery by a group of French doctors last year, and that his heart vessels got clogged on April 12, following a liposuction procedure.

This is in line with reports from Daily NK, an online newspaper based in South Korea, which said that Kim had undergone surgery at the Hyangsan Hospital on April 12.

Kim reportedly received the cardiovascular system procedure because of "excessive smoking, obesity, and overwork," according to the news site, and is now receiving treatment in a villa in Hyangsan County following his procedure.

“Kim Yo-jung, Kim’s younger sister, and the military security department realized that they can no longer keep his death a secret and have sent a personal letter regarding his death to US President Donald Trump,” Shinohara said.

“The death of the North Korean leader was confirmed on April 25, and Trump had notified the Japanese government, keeping in mind the importance of the US-Japan Security alliance in North Asia”, Shinohara added.

Despite the plethora of statements made by news sources and by the political and military YouTube critic regarding Kim’s health condition, no official statement has been released by North Korea.