Speculation surrounding the whereabouts of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is mounting after he reportedly failed to attend another national event over the weekend.
Unconfirmed reports have suggested that Kim is extremely ill after undergoing a cardiovascular operation, while others say he is isolating from Covid-19.
His absence from state media has fuelled rumours online that he may have died.
And according to a Reuters report, China sent a team of doctors and officials to North Korea to advise on Kim’s health.
His heavy smoking habit, weight gain and family history of cardiovascular illness have been cited as reasons why he might be in poor health.
The dictator was absent from an event marking the birthday of his grandfather, Kim Il Sung, who was the founder of North Korea, on April 15.
It is common for photographs of the leader, who is thought to be 36-years-old, to be released after a missile test but official photos of him attending one on April 14 have yet to be revealed.
As the country celebrated the 88th anniversary of the Korean People’s Revolutionary Army on Saturday, Kim was also reportedly notably absent from the event marking the founding of its armed forces.
His last publicly known whereabouts were reported by state media on April 11 when he chaired a meeting, although it is not uncommon for Kim to avoid public appearances for a long period of time and in 2014 he wasn’t seen for 40 days.
Reuters reported that a South Korean source informed them that Kim was alive and would soon be making an appearance.
Last week Donald Trump also rejected claims that the North Korean leader was in a life-threatening condition and called it “fake” news, media outlet Aljazeera reported.
An American website that uses satellite systems to monitor North Korea, 38 North, also released images of a train that is thought to belong to Kim outside the leaders compound in Wonsan.
The imagery shows that the huge train was present at a railway station used by the Kim family on April 21 and was still there on April 23.
Amid ongoing speculation over Kim’s health there has been concern over who his predecessor may be.
Many are lining up the dictator’s sister, Kim Yo Jong, who is thought to be 31 ,to take his place – which would mark the nations first female leader in its history.
