Kim Jong Un: Dead or Alive?
Numerous unconfirmed reports regarding Kim Jong Un are leaving millions wondering: is he alive? After he reportedly “clutched his chest and fell to the ground” while in the countryside, he was rushed to the hospital for a routine procedure in which Hong Kong broadcast networks claimed he died. Community Party sources in Beijing say that the surgeon’s “hands were shaking so badly” and he botched the surgery. So far, no official verification has come from the North Korean state media but many are questioning whether or not Kim Jong Un is alive, brain dead, or in “grave danger”. However, North Korea continues to send gifts to foreign leaders in his name despite the fact that the leader hasn’t made a public appearance in two weeks, with his last appearance on April 11. However, South Korea has stated he is "alive and well". Speculations about his health began when he missed state celebrations for his grandfather’s (the founder of North Korea) birthday. Regardless of whether he is alive, dead, or dying, millions are wondering about what this would mean for the fate of North Korea.
Why would North Korea neglect to confirm the state of Kim Jong Un?
What would the death of Kim Jong Un mean for North Korea?
How could this affect international relations?
North Korea would neglect to confirm Kim Jong Un's status to prevent other countries, most notably the surrounding Asian countries, as well as other powerful countries like the US and Russia, from taking action against them at a vulnerable time without their leader. If he is dead, his younger sister, Kim Yo Jong, or less likely his brother, Kim Jong Chol, would take over as the dictator of North Korea, though it is unlikely that life would change much in the country in terms of rights for its citizens.
ReplyDeleteLike Lauren mentioned, North Korea would want to keep other countries in the dark about Kim Jong Un´s status so that they aren´t left vulnerable in the political sphere, preventing other countries from acting on this opportunity. It also gives them ample time to plan out their next leader and future action with less intervention from other countries. His death would most likely lead to one of his siblings taking over, which probably wouldn´t affect the state of North Korea for its citizens all that much, but may affect international relations through the change in mentality and personality of the leader.
ReplyDeleteNorth Korea might not confirm the state of Kim Jung Un, because they might not want the state of North Korea to collapse when they realize that their leader is dead. They might be trying to stall, so they can take some time to figure out what to do. The death of Kim Jung Un could cause many people to try to fight for control over North Korea.
ReplyDeleteNorth Korea may have neglected to confirm the state of Kim Jong Un so that they could keep a calm state. If they state publicly that he is dead, or in a bad state it will cause the whole country to be in a state of disruption and stress. The death of Kim Jong Un would mean vulnerability of North Korea because of their nonexistent leader. A country needs a leader in order to work and by not having one, the country is at a weak position. Many people would fight to take control over the country and the results could be bad depending on who would take control over North Korea.
ReplyDeleteNorth Korea is in a very vulnerable spot right now. If their leader has died, this could mean that another country will take over control of North Korea. There may be people who want to rise up in North Korea to take control. These reasons are probably why no official statement has been made about his condition. They are probably trying to think of the next steps to take for the sake of the country, therefore, withholding information to stall.
ReplyDeleteThe death of Kim Jung Un would lead to another leader in the family, most likely being his younger sister, who has been said to be feared by their own people than her older brother. If that it so, there may be more additional harsher and strict laws put into place for escapees, or for those who just disobey the law in general. By having a new leader entering for North Korea, it may be easier or harder to make better relationship with international countries. North Korea could be hiding Kim Jung Un's current state to avoid any potential conflict with other nations that may cause trouble for them at a stressful time.
ReplyDeleteNorth Korea may neglect that Kim Jong Un is dead because they don't want to feel vulnerable as they transition between leaders. Additionally, I think that they don't want to give hope to their citizens that their rights will change with their old leader gone if it is true. With his death, it may also change the political stance between countries and how they approach North Korea in many aspects.
ReplyDeleteFor question 1, North Korea may neglect to announce if Kim Jong-Un is dead, due to the strained relations between them and many other parts of the world. They might think it is similar to a weakness, and that their opponents will take advantage of it, and attack them when they are short of a leader.
ReplyDeleteIt is very unclear at the time what Kim Jong-Un's condition is. If he had somehow died, North Korea would likely try to cover up what happened. This would have a huge impact on North Korea and the surrounding region. This could possibly change relations between countries and even important issues. At this point rumors have been saying that Kim could be still alive. But at this point anything could happen.
ReplyDeleteI think that North Korea would want to refrain from confirming his death because it could be perceived as a point of weakness. If he in fact is dead, a new leader will take control and the country will most likely go through a period of transition. Granted, there will most likely not be huge changes occurring the second someone new is put in power, there will be adjustments nonetheless. Being in a period of transition and adjustment can also be looked at as being in a vulnerable state. So, I think that North Korea is ultimately neglecting to confirm his death to avoid any risk of appearing weaker and compromising their image of power and strength.
ReplyDeleteNorth Korea, South Korea, and the United States all deny that Kim Jong-Un has died: https://metro.co.uk/2020/04/27/south-korea-denies-rumour-kim-jong-un-dead-12615808/. However, all we know is reportedly from speculation and rumors. North Korea does not want to announce Kim Jong-Un's death because it would have a devastating effect on the North Korean regime's power and influence. If Kim Jong-Un really has died, someone close to him will take over. There are many candidates that could take over for him which may lead to a power struggle. I do not think this will affect international relations very much because North Korea will most likely figure out its internal problems first.
ReplyDeleteNorth Korea would neglect to confirm Kim Jong-Un's death to reduce their vulnerability to other countries. They are afraid of how other nations will react to the news, and in order to maintain their superiority and power, they will continue to deny it. Additionally, this could affect international relations because other nations might view North Korea's vulnerability as an oppurtunity to gain influence in the region.
ReplyDeleteNorth Korea would not confirm the state of their leader because they would not want to show other countries that they are in a state of weakness. The death of Kim- Jong-Un would mean that a new leader would step in. Their dictatorship is based on family, which means that when he dies, the next in line would step into power, and we don't know how much change that would bring to the country. Once that state of the leader is confirmed, countries may be ready to see the vulnerability of North Korea and strike. They have wanted to lessen the country's amount of nuclear weapons and this might be the way to do it.
ReplyDeleteNorth Korea would neglect to confirm the state of Kim Jong Un as for many years North Korea has always kept up a strong and united look for other countries. North Korea also wouldn't confirm if Kim Jong Un is dead to keep its citizens in line and in fear as North Korea has often boasted and exaggerated the power and strength of its leader Kim Jong Un. Other countries also do similar things to elevate the status and abilities of their leaders but North Korea has been doing this for years and their boasts are often very extreme. If Kim Jong Un is dead a new leader would take place, most likely either his sister or someone else with lots of power in the government, and the effects would depend on the leader. If the next leader is very similar to Kim Jong Un then either nothing would change or things would get worse. But if the next leader wants freedom of speech and more international openness than probably hundreds of things would change for North Korea. That last one probably won't happen but its's nice to think it could happen.
ReplyDeleteIt would neglect to confirm the state of Kim Jong Un since they want to look the best that they can. They don't want to show weakness especially in front of the whole world and their citizens. They want to makes sure their citizens feel safe and secured since they all love Kim Jong Un and see him as a role model. If anything were to happen to him, it would be devastating to the country. The state of North Korea would be a little chaotic if he dies since they don't know who shall go into power. This could affect international relations since they could see that North Korea is weak and take advantage of that.
ReplyDeleteNorth Korea would not want to reveal that Kim Jong Un is dead since he is the dictator of the country. If he is dead, that would cause mass hysteria across the nation as so many people look up to him. It would also expose an area of weakness to other nations that might try to take advantage of the situation and take over or influence the country to their own advantage. The new leader would most likely be his sister Kim Yo Jong, and the change in leadership could either positively or negatively affect international relations based on their own political views.
ReplyDeleteI Think if kim Jong Un did really die I think the country wont have too much of a power vacum ussally seen with with other dicator ships since kim jong un already eliminated any oter rivals and his reamining family is loyal to him. I would guess either one of his other family members would take the position of power peacefully or a high political member would take the throne
ReplyDeleteNorth Korea my neglect to confirm whether their leader is dead or alive because it’s very common for governments while in transition from a death of a leader for people to try to overtake it. I think the death of North Korea’s leader would be something really big for the people in a good way but also really bad for everyone in the government I think it would mean that North Korea would now be a little more vulnerable. I think his death would have a really big impact on international relations I don’t think I could say if they would be a good impact or a bad one because it could be a good thing if a leader that’s a little more lenient steps in but it could be a bad thing if a leader who is worse steps in. 
ReplyDeleteThe death of Kim Jong Un could make North Korea seem weak in the eyes of their enemies and put them at a disadvantage during the time of confusion. I believe the death of Kim Jong Un would mean that his sister would become the dictator of North Korea, and she may have even more radical ideals than him. If he is in fact dead, this could pose many new opportunities for other countries but also challenges.
ReplyDeleteNorth Korea would neglect to confirm the death of Kim Jong Un because they don't want to give the time for other powerful countries, such as the US and Russia, to capitalize on this opportunity to attack or raid North Korea. If they keep everything under the radar, they can sort all matters out and then announce hi death as well as his successor at the same time and appear put together and strong in the public eye.
ReplyDeleteNorth Korea would neglect to confirm the death of Kim Jong Un because they want to keep the spotlight on them, by creating suspense they are given attention. Additionally, if Kim Jong Un is actually dead then they'll want to sort out whoever is the new leader before making an international statement, so this suspense highlights that he may indedd be dead.
ReplyDeleteNorth Korea would neglect to confirm the death of Kim Jong Un because they want to keep the spotlight on them, by creating suspense they are given attention. Additionally, if Kim Jong Un is actually dead then they'll want to sort out whoever is the new leader before making an international statement, so this suspense highlights that he may indeed be dead.
ReplyDeleteNorth Korea would neglect to confirm the death of Kim Jong Un because they don't want to give off an signs of weakness to other countries as well as its own citizens. If Kim Jong Un is really dead, this means that there will have to be a successor who will take over the country. With a new leader, it is a possibility that international relations could become more difficult because it is a different person other than Kim Jong Un, but there could also be a number of new opportunities for that same reason.
ReplyDeleteNorth Korea would neglect the status of Kim Jong Un because they most likely do not want to be appeared as weak to the international community. His death would clearly lead to turmoil for power within North Korea, leading to weaken and vulnerable state. His death would lead to a shift in power and could ultimately change/ strain international relations.
ReplyDeleteI agree that North Korea is neglecting to report Kim Jong Un's status because it would make the country appear vulnerable. If he is dead, other nations may try to attack while the weakened country scrambles to find a new leader. Additionally, the cause of his death would probably cause a great deal of dispute and conflict (conspiracy theories, etc).
ReplyDeleteI think North Korea would neglect to confirm Kim Jong Un's health because it would make the country seem weak and vulnerable. If he is dead, North Korea would have to find a new leader, which could improve or make relations more difficult. I think it all just depends on what the new leader's goals for the country are.
ReplyDeleteIf they say he is dead than the country looks vulnerable to others. His death would cause a big change in North Korea and without a leader they would be weak. I think some new oppurtunities will form too and they could grow as a nation,
ReplyDeleteThe death of King Jong Un would alter North Korea immensely. The most viable family member to rule would be King Jong Un's sister Kim Yo Jong, but it is too unlikely due to North Korea's political power being predominantly male; furthermore, she lacks connections, having no clear leverage over security or military officials. Thus, the most likely No.1 would be Choe Ryong Hae, the head of the Supreme People's Assembly; he is very politically active and trusted by King Jong Un. However, there are other longtime officials that may try to make a power grab. In total, there is a large chance that lack of unity will cause the Kim's dynasty to crumble and bring North Korean society into chaos. This would serve as a tempting opportunity for intervention from other countries, such as the United States, South Korea, and China.
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