Thread: US monitoring intelligence that North Korean leader is in grave danger after surgery

The US is monitoring intelligence that North Korea's leader, Kim Jong Un, is in grave danger after a surgery, according to a US official with direct knowledge.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.

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 and sought comment from the South Koreans.

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.

US monitoring intelligence that North Korean leader is in grave danger after surgery - CNNPolitics

Originally Posted by bsnub

"It's easy to be wrong on this one," said John Delury, a professor of international relations at Yonsei University in Seoul.

...and even easier to endlessly speculate for the media...

Well if he does turn out to be dead there is no clear line of succession so things could get interesting.

Originally Posted by bsnub

US monitoring intelligence

Wondering that they do not have their own problems to be monitored...

Originally Posted by bsnub

Well if he does turn out to be dead there is no clear line of succession so things could get interesting.

Sister Kim I think. She of the permanent bitchy resting face.

and a new CIA plant story, so fooking apropos

CIA plant story, move along, nothing to see

South Korea are denying it, so I wouldn't get too excited yet.

Yes, could be Soros trying to corner the Kwon.

There are only two things that smell of fish, and one of them is fish.

Originally Posted by Switch

There are only two things that smell of fish, and one of them is fish.

So you think that the sister will be his chosen successor...

Originally Posted by Klondyke

Wondering that they do not have their own problems to be monitored...

Because they only have one person to monitor 'everything' . . . you're probably onto something there.

Fake news.

I interact(ed) with quite a few Koreans at work and the majority don't really want a reunification when they use rationale. They all openly laud it because 'family' etc... but it will mean financial hardship for them while tens of billions are poured into the north to being it even 1/10th up to par economically, socially . . .

The German reunification example has shown how expensive that can be, and in that case East Germany was the most advanced of all Warsaw Pact countries. NK is still in the stone age in many respects. (yes, they can build rockets, but they can't feed their own population, supply electricity etc...) - plus, the chaebols will devour the north

A change of leadership is the best avenue with eventual reunification

If I wanted Intelligence, I would certainly not be asking for it from the US.

Originally Posted by panama hat

I interact(ed) with quite a few Koreans at work and the majority don't really want a reunification when they use rationale.

It would be pretty devastating for SK and as you said NK is very much in the Stone Age so it will take generations to assimilate it into the south. It would be nothing like East Germany where the populace was fairly well-educated.

Originally Posted by panama hat

a few Koreans at work and the majority don't really want a reunification

Whether the crowd in Pyongyang will care what the few Korean friends are thinking?

Originally Posted by Klondyke

Whether the crowd in Pyongyang will care what the few Korean friends are thinking?

I know you're dense and disingenuous but you really should think about what was written and then reply accordingly, not change it to suit your agenda.

Well, I figure what the Koreans - all Koreans want, is removal of the threat of conflict - the war and the blanket of uncertainty, the threat of war in an uncertain armistice, has been hanging over them for 70+ years - they are tired, very, very tired...

If not Peace on Earth, they'll certainly settle for Peace on the Peninsula

Originally Posted by bowie

Well, I figure what the Koreans - all Koreans want, is removal of the threat of conflict - the war and the blanket of uncertainty, the threat of war in an uncertain armistice, has been hanging over them for 70+ years - they are tired, very, very tired...

If not Peace on Earth, they'll certainly settle for Peace on the Peninsula

Most North Koreans would like a few western luxuries, like bread and shoes.

Originally Posted by bowie

Well, I figure what the Koreans - all Koreans want, is removal of the threat of conflict

Well, certainly the South Koreans but in the north it is a cause celèbre, just like in the US and Russia/SU during the 'Cold War'. The regime keeps their population in line with endless propaganda and how glorious NK is. This feeds on itself.

Originally Posted by Switch

Most North Koreans would like a few western luxuries, like bread and shoes.

Too true

Originally Posted by panama hat

regime keeps their population in line with endless propaganda

agreed...

Originally Posted by Klondyke

agreed...

Feel free to quote the whole thing. Unlike you I believe it's quite acceptable to mention those I refer to instead of using sophomoric <insert xxxx here>, <he who should, not be named> etc...

Originally Posted by panama hat

just like in the US and Russia/SU during the 'Cold War'. The regime keeps their population in line with endless propaganda and how glorious NK is.