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North Korea releases 'proof of life' pics of Kim Jong Un after rumors he died from a brain haemorrhage
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Following rumors that Kim Jong Un had died from a brain hemorrhage, the North Korean government has claimed to have proof that their leader is still alive.
The new batch of photos has been described as 'proof of life' pictures, which show the North Korean dictator looking at shoes and women's clothing, among other things.
These were published by the North Korean state media on Monday, with the 42-year-old also spotted gesturing at fellow officials.
Just hours after claims of Kim's death hit social media, these photos surfaced online, as a Chinese source claimed that the dictator had fallen into a coma after suffering a brain hemorrhage.
It was alleged that Kim fell into a coma and died after being rushed to Beijing, China, for emergency treatment.
What do the images of Kim Jong Un show?
North Korea's Korean Central News Agency reported that Kim was at a footwear exhibition on Monday (October 19), but the images are yet to be authenticated, with their dates unclear.
One photo shows the North Korean leader inspecting a tiny pink shoe being held by a young woman in a pale pink dress.
Kim can be seen standing with his legs apart in another snap, with his arms outstretched while being in conversation with an official.
The dictator is also seen reaching for the sleeve of a woman's coat on a mannequin, with numerous aides trailing behind him, in a third image.
Who made claims about Kim's death?
Wanjun Xie, a US-based Chinese dissident with links to the China Democracy Party, made several bold claims about Kim's health on X.
Posting on his account on Sunday, he claimed that Kim was dead and that China dispatched 9,000 troops to Pyongyang in preparation for a succession crisis.
He further claimed that medical specialists from Beijing’s Peking Union Medical College Hospital were sent to North Korea a day before to treat the leader after he suffered a severe cerebral hemorrhage.
Xie's claims detailed that Kim fell into a coma before being transferred to China, where doctors supposedly could not save him, before his body was secretly brought back to North Korea.
None of his allegations included medical proof, photos, witnesses, or other reputable pieces of evidence.
Rumors about Kim Jong Un's health continue
Conversations about the North Korean dictator's well-being haven't stopped despite the release of these images.
Some asked whether Kim's sister, Kim Yo Jong, would take control of the regime following his death.
Pyongyang is yet to respond to the alleged death reports, following the release of the photos.
In September, South Korea’s National Intelligence Service claimed to lawmakers that Kim weighed 140 kilograms and was at a heightened risk of cardiovascular disease because of his obesity.
North Korean state media previously claimed that he attended the inauguration of the National Defense Revolution Museum on October 11.
This would have preceded the supposed medical emergency.