Taiwan National Security Bureau (NSB) Director-General Chiu Kuo-cheng said on Thursday that North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un is “sick,” and that additional information could not be released because it potentially could compromise their source of information.
Chiu, after saying that Kim was “sick,” was asked by Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) lawmaker Tsai Shih-ying: “He’s sick, but is he still alive?”
Chiu reportedly laughed but did not answer.
On the matter of what could happen if something happened to Kim and a power vacuum was created, Chiu said that North Korea could be in for some bumpy days ahead along with liberal democracies in the region.
Chiu “pointed out that according to the findings of the NSB’s study of the communist country, no matter how turbulent the political situation may be, there might be a short period of integration and struggle,” Taiwan News reported. “As to whether there would be large-scale military mobilization, he emphasized that North Korea is very closed off, with nuclear bombs, missiles, and other armaments.”
Taiwan News added, “Chiu said that if there is a ‘situation,’ not only Taiwan but also South Korea and Japan would be in the scope of areas affected.”
Rumors have swirled throughout the media for weeks over Kim’s health status since he has not been seen in public since early April.
CNN reported last week:
The US is monitoring intelligence that suggests North Korea’s leader, Kim Jong Un, is in grave danger after undergoing a previous surgery, according to a US official with direct knowledge.
A second source familiar with the intelligence told CNN that the US has been closely monitoring reports on Kim’s health.
Kim recently missed the celebration of his grandfather’s birthday on April 15, which raised speculation about his well-being. He had been seen four days before that at a government meeting.
President Donald Trump said earlier this week that he knew what was going on with Kim but he could not discuss it.
“I hope he’s fine, I do know how he’s doing relatively speaking,” Trump added. “You will probably be hearing in the not too distant future.”
On Saturday night, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) told Fox News’ host Jeanine Pirro that he thinks Kim is either incapacitated or dead.
“Well, it’s a closed society, I don’t know anything directly,” Graham said. “But I’d be shocked if he’s not dead or in some incapacitated state because you don’t let rumors like this go forever or go unanswered in a closed society, which is really a cult, not a country, called North Korea.”
“So I pretty well believe he is dead or incapacitated,” Graham continued. “And I hope the long-suffering North Korean people will get some relief if he is dead, and President Trump’s willing to do business with North Korea in a win-win fashion. So, if this guy is dead, I hope the next person who takes over will work with President Trump to make North Korea a better place for everybody.”
The Daily Wire, headed by bestselling author and popular podcast host Ben Shapiro, is a leading provider of conservative news, cutting through the mainstream media’s rhetoric to provide readers the most important, relevant, and engaging stories of the day. Get inside access to The Daily Wire by becoming a member.