Kim Jong Un appears in public with daughter after death rumours circulate

North Korea has released photographs of leader Kim Jong Un attending a clothing and footwear exhibition alongside his daughter, Kim Ju Ae, and wife, Ri Sol Ju, following unverified online claims that he had suffered a brain haemorrhage, fallen into a coma or died.

The state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported that Kim visited the 2026 National Garment and Footwear Exhibition on Monday, October 19. The photographs show him inspecting products and interacting with officials at the event.

The visit comes amid renewed speculation about the North Korean leader’s health, with several social media posts making claims about his condition without providing verifiable evidence.

Kim visits clothing and footwear exhibition

During the visit, Kim praised the progress made by North Korea’s clothing and footwear industries, according to KCNA.

The exhibition displayed more than 70,700 clothing items and over 170,000 pairs of shoes manufactured by factories across the country. The event forms part of Kim’s regional development policy, which seeks to expand production and improve living standards beyond major urban centres.

The photographs released by North Korean state media showed Kim examining the products on display, accompanied by his daughter and wife.

Unverified claims fuel succession speculation

Rumours about Kim’s health spread on X and other social media platforms before the photographs were released. Some posts alleged that he had suffered a severe brain haemorrhage and slipped into a coma, while others claimed he had been taken to Beijing for emergency treatment.

These claims were not supported by verifiable evidence. Speculation also emerged about who could succeed Kim if he died, with his daughter, Kim Ju Ae, and sister, Kim Yo Jong, mentioned as possible figures in a future leadership transition.

Some posts further suggested that limited medical facilities in Pyongyang had prompted a possible transfer to a hospital in Beijing. However, no verified information was provided to substantiate these claims.

Kim’s health remains under close watch

Rumours about Kim’s health have surfaced on previous occasions, often following periods when he was not seen in public. North Korea’s secrecy surrounding its leadership has made even brief absences a trigger for speculation.

Foreign governments and intelligence agencies closely monitor developments involving Kim, as any change in the country’s leadership could have implications for regional security.