20.10.2026 06:40
After claims that North Korean leader Kim Jong-un fell into a coma after suffering a brain hemorrhage and was taken to China for treatment, it was alleged that he died. As the yet-unverified claim put forward by Wanjun Xie, known as the Chairman of the China Democracy Party, was brought to the world agenda, eyes turned to Kim's possible successors. The names of his sister Kim Yo-jong and his 13-year-old daughter Kim Ju-ae stand out for the leadership.
After claims that North Korean leader Kim Jong-un suffered a brain hemorrhage, fell into a coma, and was taken to China for treatment, it was this time alleged that he had died. Wanjun Xie, known as the Chairman of the China Democracy Party, claimed in a post on his social media account that Kim Jong-un had lost his life.
DEATH CLAIM FROM CHINESE FIGURE
While debates over the North Korean leader's health condition continued, Wanjun Xie's post on his X account brought a new claim to the agenda. Xie alleged that Kim Jong-un had suffered a severe brain hemorrhage, then fell into a coma, and lost his life despite the treatment applied.
The death claim, which spread rapidly on social media, has not yet been verified by independent sources. No official statement on the matter has come from North Korean or Chinese authorities either.
FIRST, BRAIN HEMORRHAGE AND COMA CLAIMS HAD EMERGED
In reports brought to the agenda by the British newspaper The Sun, it had been alleged that Kim Jong-un suffered a brain hemorrhage and fell into a coma as his condition worsened. It was claimed that due to insufficient healthcare facilities in North Korea, the leader was taken to Beijing, the capital of China, for treatment.
EYES TURNED TO TWO NAMES WHO COULD REPLACE KIM JONG-UN
Unverified reports that Kim Jong-un had died also brought a possible leadership change in North Korea to the agenda. While it was debated who could take over the country's administration, the names of Kim's sister Kim Yo-jong and his 13-year-old daughter Kim Ju-ae came to the fore.
Kim Yo-jong, who holds important duties in the leadership of the Workers' Party of Korea, is known especially for her harsh statements toward South Korea and her influence in the country's administration. Considering the political power of the Kim family, she is among the names mentioned in a possible leadership change. However, there is no official statement that she has been designated as successor.
WILL HIS 13-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER SIT IN HER FATHER'S CHAIR?
Kim Jong-un's daughter Kim Ju-ae, on the other hand, has drawn attention in recent years with the military ceremonies and official events she attended alongside her father. Ju-ae, first introduced to the public during a missile test in November 2022, was later seen beside her father at military parades and visits to weapons facilities.
The fact that Ju-ae, said to be only 13 years old, has become increasingly visible at state events has brought comments that she may be being prepared for the country's leadership in the future. However, the North Korean administration has not officially declared Kim Ju-ae as successor.
HE HAD ALSO BEEN CLAIMED DEAD BEFORE
Kim Jong-un had become the focus of similar claims in 2020 because he did not appear before the public for about three weeks. At that time, rumors spread that his health condition had worsened and that he had lost his life, but the North Korean leader was later seen at a factory opening.