QUESTIONS ARISE OVER KIM JONG UN's PUBLIC ABSENCE

Speculations arise over the leader's whereabout amidst rumours of a heart surgery

He recently went weeks without a public appearance


North Korea's Kim Jong Un has made an unusually small number of public appearances in the past two months, once again going three weeks without state media reporting his attendance at a public event, according to analysts.

Kim's low profile comes as North Korea imposes anti-coronavirus measures, although the country says it has no confirmed cases, and follows intense speculation last month about his health after he missed a key national anniversary.

Kim has appeared publicly four times in April and so far in May, compared with 27 times in the same period last year.

Since coming to power in 2011, the previous fewest public appearances Kim has made during those months was in 2017 when he appeared 21 times, according to Chad O'Carroll, CEO of Korea Risk Group, a Seoul-based organisation that tracks North Korea.

"This is not business as normal," he said in a post on Twitter this week.

As a leader with near-absolute power over North Korea's 25.5 million people, and access to a growing arsenal of nuclear weapons, Kim's health and whereabouts are often scrutinised by the international community for any signs of instability.It should be noted that it was rumoured that the leader of the South-east Asian nation recently underwent a heart surgery although these claims are still not yet verified.

South Korean officials have said they believe Kim's limited public appearances may be precautions in the face of coronavirus concerns. North Korea has cancelled, postponed, or toned down many important public gatherings because of the illness.

When asked about Kim's absences, South Korea's Unification Ministry said on Friday it was monitoring the situation, but noted Kim was often out of the public eye.


SOURCE;REUTERS

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