North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is reportedly in “grave danger” following a surgical procedure, CNN and Reuters reported Monday evening.
The 37-year-old dictator underwent a cardiovascular procedure, state media indicates. Rumors began to swirl about Jong-un’s health after he did not attend an anniversary event for the birthday of its founding father and Kim’s grandfather, Kim Il Sun.
NBC News’ Katy Tur tweeted Monday night that Jong-un was “brain dead.” She later deleted the tweet.
I’ve deleted that last tweet out of an abundance of caution. Waiting on more info. Apologies.
— Katy Tur (@KatyTurNBC) April 21, 2020
“My understanding is that he had been struggling (with cardiovascular problems) since last August but it worsened after repeated visits to Mount Paektu,” Daily NK reported.
In 2009, reports suggested that Kim Jong-un was a diabetic and suffered from hypertension. He is also known to smoke cigarettes.
Breaking: The US is monitoring intelligence that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s health is in grave danger following a surgery, a US official with direct knowledge tells me.
— Jim Sciutto (@jimsciutto) April 21, 2020
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