A South Korean official says that North Korean leader Kim Jong-un did not undergo surgery during an almost three week absence from public life, a South Korean official said after the two nations exchanged gunfire at the demilitarized zone (DMZ) separating the two sides.
Key points:
- A South Korean said Mr Kim had not had surgery
- He also denied Mr Kim had undergone a simple medical treatment during his absence from public life
- An expert believes the shots may have been planned a provocation to show Mr Kim was still in control of the North Korean military
The Government official declined to provide reasons, but said speculative reports that Mr Kim had had an operation, citing some differences in his leg movements, were untrue.
Asked if media reports of Mr Kim having undergone a simple medical treatment were also untrue, the official simply said: “Yes.”
North and South Korea exchanged gunfire around