US monitoring
intelligence that North Korean leader is in grave danger after surgery
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.
Another US official told CNN Monday that the
concerns about Kim's health are credible but the severity is hard to assess.
Daily NK, an online newspaper based in South
Korea that focuses on North Korea, reports that Kim reportedly received a
cardiovascular system procedure on April 12.
Kim received the cardiovascular system
procedure because of "excessive smoking, obesity, and overwork,"
according to the news site, and is now receiving treatment in a villa in
Hyangsan County following his procedure.
After assessing that Kim's condition had
improved, most of the medical team treating him returned to Pyongyang on April
19 and only part of them remained to oversee his recovery situation, according
to the news site. CNN is unable to independently confirm the report.
A South Korean source told CNN Monday that the
country's top leaders are very much aware of reports about Kim's health status
but cannot independently verify details published by Daily NK. The source
acknowledged that Kim's issues related to weight and smoking are well known but
made clear they are waiting for more information.
South Korea's Presidential Blue House said in
a statement provided to reporters that they have nothing to confirm on reports
about Kim's health and that "no unusual signs" have been detected
inside North Korea.
South Korea's Unification Ministry and Defense
Ministry have given a "no comment."
The National Security Council and Office of
the Director of National Intelligence declined to comment when reached by CNN
on Monday. CNN has also reached out to the CIA and the State Department for
comment.
In the meantime, US officials have been
reaching out to North Korean experts -- particularly those who have studied the
Kim regime -- to talk about contingency planning, a third source familiar with
the communications told CNN.
Still, the situation remains murky as
gathering intelligence out of North Korea is notoriously difficult -- one of
the most challenging targets for US intelligence.
North Korea tightly controls any information
surrounding its leader, who is treated almost like a deity within the country.
His absences from official state media often spark speculation and rumors about
his health. North Korea has no free press and is often a black hole when it
comes to the country's leadership. Analysts are heavily reliant on scanning
state media dispatches and watching propaganda videos for any semblance of a
clue.
Kim last appeared in North Korean state media
on April 11. April 15 -- North Korea's most important holiday, the anniversary
of the birth of the country's founding father, Kim Il Sung -- came and went
without any official mention of Kim Jong Un's movements.
Experts are unsure of what to make of Kim's
absence from any festivities celebrating his grandfather. When North Korean
leaders have not shown up to these important celebrations in the past, it has
portended major developments. But it has also turned out to be nothing.
"There have been a number of recent
rumors about Kim's health (smoking, heart, and brain). If Kim is hospitalized,
it would explain why he wasn't present on the important April 15th
celebrations," said Bruce Klingner, a senior research fellow at the
Heritage Foundation and former CIA deputy division chief for North Korea.
"But, over the years, there have been a number of false health rumors
about Kim Jong-un or his father. We'll have to wait and see."
Kim Jong Il's absence from a parade
celebrating North Korea's 60th anniversary in 2008 was followed by rumblings
that he was in poor health. It was later revealed he had a stroke, after which
his health continued to decline until his death in 2011.
Kim Jong Un disappeared from the public eye
for more than a month in 2014, which also prompted speculation about his
health. He returned sporting a cane, and days later South Korean intelligence
said that he had a cyst removed from his ankle.
"It's easy to be wrong on this one,"
said John Delury, a professor of international relations at Yonsei University
in Seoul.
Still, with concerns about Kim's health
mounting, the state of US-South Korean relations has US officials worried,
sources tell CNN.
On Monday, President Donald Trump said the two
countries have a "great relationship," but added he wants them to pay
more for the US presence in the country. The two countries have missed multiple
deadlines for those negotiations. And now in-person negotiations are hindered
because of the coronavirus pandemic.
This breaking story has been updated with
additional reporting.
CNN's Betsy Klein,
Alex Marquardt, and Vivian Salama contributed to this story.
Source: CNN.com
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