SEOUL (Reuters) – Worry of catching the coronavirus might have kept North Korean leader Kim Jong Un away from state ceremonies for a key vacation in mid-April, a South Korean minister stated on Tuesday as speculation swirled over Kim’s location and health.
Under Kim Jong Un, North Korea has actually broadened its toolbox of nuclear weapons and long-range ballistic missiles, and without any apparent successor, any modification in management in the authoritarian country would raise concerns about instability that might impact other North Asian nations and the United States.
The speculation about Kim’s health emerged after his unmatched lack from ceremonies marking the April 15 birth anniversary of his grandpa and creator of the country, Kim Il Sung.
South Korea’s Marriage Minister Kim Yeon-chul, who supervises engagement with the North, stated it was possible that Kim chose versus going to since of the coronavirus, offered the strict steps his government has actually taken to avoid a break out.
” It is true that he had actually never ever missed out on the anniversary for Kim Il Sung’s birthday considering that he took power, but many anniversary events consisting of events and a banquet had been cancelled since of coronavirus issues,” the unification minister told a parliamentary hearing.
” I don’t think that’s particularly uncommon offered the current (coronavir