North Korea’s Kim Jong-un was ‘seriously ill’ in Covid-19 surge, says sister – blames ‘South Korean puppets’

Kim Jong-un’s sister revealed that the North Korean leader suffered from a “high fever” during a recent Covid-19 outbreak, as she vowed to “eradicate” South Korean authorities if they continued to tolerate propaganda leaflets that the regime blames for spreading the virus.

Repeating dubious claims that the pamphlets caused the recent Covid outbreak in the North, Kim Yo-jong blamed “South Korean puppets” for sending “dirty objects” across the border in leaflets carried by balloons, the official Korean Central News Agency reported Thursday. The revelation of her brother’s illness marked an unusual admission for a regime that rarely comments on the leader’s health – and then only to show that he shares the struggles of the people.

Kim Yo-jong said in a speech the North Korean leader was “seriously ill” during his bout with fever, according to KCNA. Still, she added in a quivering voice that her brother “could not lie down for even a moment because of his concerns for the people”, with state television showing audience members in tears as she delivered her remarks. She did not say whether the elder Kim was among what North Korea calls “fever cases” or specify the date of his illness.

Overweight and a smoker, Kim Jong-un’s health has prompted speculation for years. His public appearances are closely tracked for insights about the autocratic and secretive regime in Pyongyang, especially since his family has a history of heart disease.

Kim Yo-jong delivered a carefully calibrated message to underscore that her brother has suffered, like the country’s citizens, said Rachel Minyoung Lee, regional issues manager at the Vienna-based Open Nuclear Network.