Trump welcomes reemergence of North Korea's Kim Jong-un In this file photo taken on June 30, 2019, U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korea's leader Kim Jong-un stand on North Korean soil while walking to South Korea in the Demilitarized Zonein Panmunjom, Korea. Trump said on Saturday that he was "glad" about the reappearance of Kim and that he is apparently healthy. AFPU.S. President Donald Trump on Saturday welcomed the reemergence of North Korea's Kim Jong Un after weeks of speculation about his health, but prospects for the U.S. efforts to persuade Pyongyang to denuclearize appear as bleak as ever.On Saturday, North Korean media said Kim cut a ribbon at a ceremony on Friday to mark the completion of a fertilizer plant.It had not reported on Kim's whereabouts since he presided over a meeting on April 11, provoking speculation that he was seriously ill and raising concerns about instability in his nuclear-armed country that could affect other North Asian countries and the United States.Kim was seen in photographs smiling and talking to aides at the ceremony and also touring the plant. The authenticity of the photos could not be verifMay 3, 2020
Can COVID-19 crisis bring Moon breakthrough on relations with Pyongyang? President Moon Jae-in presides over a meeting with his senior aides at Cheong Wa Dae, April 27, the second anniversary of the Panmunjeom Declaration. He said the COVID-19 crisis could present a new opportunity for the suspended inter-Korean relations. / YonhapBy Yi Whan-wooWith North Korea officially claiming to have no COVID-19 cases, speculation is growing as to whether President Moon Jae-in will be able to make his desired breakthrough in cross-border relations through cooperation on the pandemic. The President has repeatedly expressed hope that inter-Korean cooperation could be revived by the pandemic since the outbreak of the novel coronavirus in Wuhan, China, in January, with his latest related remark being made on April 27.Participants wave unification flags during a ceremony in Seoul, April 27, to mark the second anniversary of a summit between President Moon Jae-in and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. / AP-YonhapMarking the second anniversary of the Panmunjeom Declaration on April 27, he again cited possible cooperation on COVID-19 as an opportunity to resume stalled talks wMay 3, 2020By Yi Whan-woo
VIDEO NK leader Kim Jong-un looks well By Park Si-sooA broadly-smiling Kim Jong-un appeared in public for the first time in 20 days, waving hands to a cheering crowd, talking to his aides and cutting a red ribbon to celebrate the opening of a fertilizer factory in Sunchon, north of Pyongyang.He was also seen walking normally around the factory.North Korea's state TV released video footage of the opening ceremony Saturday, saying the event took place the previous day.The video put to rest a wave of rumors and speculation that he might be gravely sick or even dead.Hours earlier, the North's state news agency, the KCNA, released several photos of Kim at the factory, dressed in a dark Mao suit and his signature sweptback hairstyle."All the participants broke into thunderous cheers of 'hurrah!' extending the greatest glory to the Supreme Leader who has brought about a new change in the development of Juche-based fertilizer industry and has led the grand revolutionary advance for strengthening self-supporting economy to a victory with his outstanding leadership," the KCNA said.His sister, Kim Yo-jong, who was considered among tMay 2, 2020
Trump declines to comment on N.K. leader's reported appearance U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday declined to comment on the reported public appearance of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un after a 20-day absence."I'd rather not comment on it yet -- Kim Jong-un," Trump told reporters at the White House before departing for Camp David. "We'll have something to say about it at the appropriate time."On whether Kim is still alive, he said, "I don't want to talk about it."But asked if he will be talking to Kim this weekend, he said, "l may."Moments earlier, North Korea's state media announced the first public appearance of Kim since April 11 at a ceremony marking the completion of a fertilizer plant in Sunchon, north of Pyongyang.During his absence from public view, news reports described Kim as being in "grave danger" after surgery or hiding out at a coastal resort to escape the coronavirus pandemic.Trump said initially that he didn't know if the reports were true then later said he had a "very good idea" about Kim's status but couldn't talk about it.Speculation about Kim's whereabouts and health began after he apparently skipped the April 15 commemMay 2, 2020
PHOTOS Kim Jong-un is alive: NK leader reemerges from 20-day absence North Korea’s state news agency on Saturday released this photo of Kim Jong-un, which it said was taken Friday at a fertilizer plant. His sister, Kim Yo-jong, is in the background.Credit...KCNA, via YonhapNorth Korean leader Kim Jong Un made his first public appearance in 20 days as he celebrated the completion of a fertilizer factory near Pyongyang, state media said Saturday, ending an absence that had triggered global rumors that he may be seriously ill.The North's official Korean Central News Agency reported that Kim attended the ceremony Friday in Sunchon with other senior officials, including his sister Kim Yo Jong, who many analysts predict would take over if her brother is suddenly unable to rule.The official Rodong Sinmun newspaper published several photos of Kim wearing black and smiling as he looked around the factory and cut a red ribbon, his sister looking from behind. Seemingly thousands of workers, many of them masked, stood in lines at the massive complex, releasing balloons into the air.The images gave no clear sign that Kim was in discomfort. He wasn't seen witMay 2, 2020
'99% sure Kim Jong-un died,' says NK defector-turned-politician Ji Seong-hoA North Korean defector elected as a lawmaker in South Korea claimed Friday that he is “99 percent” sure North Korean leader Kim Jong-un died last weekend after surgery.Unconfirmed reports of Kim's ill health have mounted since he has not appeared in public for nearly three weeks. News reports described Kim as being in “grave danger” after surgery or hiding out at a coastal resort to escape the coronavirus pandemic.Ji Seong-ho, who earned a proportional representation seat for a minor party in the April 15 elections, claimed he is 99 percent sure of Kim's death and North Korea may make the announcement this weekend.“I've wondered how long he could have endured after cardiovascular surgery,” Ji told the Yonhap News Agency. “I've been informed that Kim died last weekend.“It is not 100 percent certain, but I can say the possibility is 99 percent. North Korea is believed to be grappling with a complicated succession issue.” Ji did not reveal the source of his information. His claim cannot be verified independently.The lawmaMay 1, 2020
Sick, dead or trick? NK leader out of public eye for 20th straight day This file photo taken on June 30, 2019 shows North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un walking to a meeting with US President Donald Trump in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) in Panmunjom, Korea. A train likely belonging to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has been spotted at a resort town in the country's east, satellite photos reviewed by a US-based think tank showed on April 26, 2020, as speculation persists over his health. (Photo by Brendan Smialowski / AFP)North Korean leader Kim Jong-un remained out of public view for the 20th straight day Thursday amid persisting speculation about his health and who will take over the nuclear-armed communist nation after him.Kim was last seen in state media on April 11 presiding over a politburo meeting of the ruling Workers' Party. State media have since carried reports about him handling state affairs, such as sending messages to foreign leaders, but no photo or video of him has been released.Sparking speculation about Kim's health was his absence from a key ceremony commemorating the 108th birth anniversary of his late grandfather and national founder, May 1, 2020
Pompeo: US preparing for any eventuality in N. Korea U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo smiles during a news conference at the State Department, in Washington, U.S., April 29, 2020. Andrew Harnik/Pool via REUTERS/File PhotoThe United States is preparing for any eventuality in North Korea as it monitors the regime closely amid unconfirmed reports about leader Kim Jong-un's ill health, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Thursday.Speaking on a radio program, "The Scott Sands Show," Pompeo said it is unusual, but not unheard of, that the North Korean leader has not appeared in public for over two weeks.Kim was last seen presiding over a politburo meeting of the ruling Workers' Party on April 11."But beyond that, I don't have much that I can share with you today," Pompeo said."We are continuing to monitor closely. We are working to make sure we're prepared for whatever eventuality there is. And President Trump's made clear whatever is going on, we have a very singular mission, and that's to implement the terms of the deal from Singapore, which involves making sure that that country doesn't have nuclear weapons and that we get a brighter fMay 1, 2020
Trump says he 'understands' NK leader's situation U.S. President Donald J. Trump takes questions from reporters after speaking about protecting seniors from the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC, USA, 30 April 2020. EPA/JIM LO SCALZOU.S. President Donald Trump said Thursday that he understands the situation with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, who has been reported to be gravely ill, but refused to discuss it and continued to wish him well.Trump's comments follow unconfirmed reports that Kim is in "grave danger" after surgery or hiding out at a coastal compound to escape the coronavirus pandemic."I understand what's going on, and I just can't talk about Kim Jong-un right now," Trump said at a White House event about protecting seniors. "I just hope everything is going to be fine. But I do understand the situation very well."Trump initially said last week that the U.S. didn't know if the reports were true and later dismissed one particular report by CNN as "incorrect."The cable network had cited a U.S. official as saying that Washington was looking into intelligence that Kim was in "May 1, 2020
Taiwan's intel chief says NK leader Kim Jong-un is 'sick' Taiwan's intelligence chief Chiu Kuo-cheng.By Park Si-soo Taiwan's intelligence chief said Thursday that North Korean leader Kim Jong-un is “sick” but remains in control of the nuclear-armed nation.Chiu Kuo-cheng, director of the National Security Bureau (NSB), said the North has contingency plans in the event of Kim's sudden death, according to local reports.The director revealed this at a government hearing by legislators. “My answer is from the intelligence that is available and it is not an opinion,” Chiu said.He laughed and refused to reply when asked if Kim was alive, the report said.When asked about how the bureau had obtained the sensitive intelligence, the director refused to elaborate, citing the need to protect the intelligence service's sources in North Korea. He assured legislators that contingency plans were ready for a potential power struggle in the region if the North Korean leader did succumb, according to the Taipei Times.In this Sunday, Sept. 9, 2018, photo, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un waves after a parade in Pyongyang for the 70th anniMay 1, 2020
