Is Kim Jong Un in critical condition? Dictator, 36, is 'in grave danger after heart surgery' as North Korea fights coronavirus - and his sister could be in next line to take control

Is Kim Jong Un in critical condition? Dictator, 36, is 'in grave danger after heart surgery' as North Korea fights coronavirus - and his sister could be in next line to take control

• North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is in grave danger after a surgery says a US official with direct knowledge. 
• Kim's alleged turn for the worse comes after he recently missed the celebration of his grandfather's birthday on April 15, raising speculation about his health
• The 36-year-old 'Supreme Leader' had been last seen four days before that at a government meeting
• Kim had been receiving treatment after undergoing a cardiovascular procedure early this month
• He was recovering at a villa in the Mount Kumgang resort county of Hyangsan on the east coast after getting the procedure on April 12 at a hospital there

Kim Jong Un is in grave danger after a surgery says a US official with direct knowledge of the North Korean leader's condition. He is seen speaking at a meeting of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, his last appearance in public

South Korea's presidential Blue House said: 'We have no information to confirm regarding rumours about Chairman Kim Jong-un's health issue that have been reported by some media outlets. 

'Also, no unusual developments have been detected inside North Korea.'

Another US official said the White House was already aware of fears about Kim's health before the latest reports surfaced on Monday night. 

The official said the US had information that Kim may have undergone surgery and that complications may have rendered him 'incapacitated or worse'. 

But they stressed that the US had nothing to confirm whether the surgery had taken place or that any complications had occurred.  

'We just don't know,' said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity. The White House and State Department had no comment.  

Daily NK, citing unidentified sources inside the isolated state, said Kim was recovering at a villa in the Mount Kumgang resort county of Hyangsan on the east coast after getting the procedure on April 12 at a hospital there. 

Kim's health has deteriorated in recent months due to heavy smoking, obesity and overwork, the Daily NK report said.

'My understanding is that he had been struggling (with cardiovascular problems) since last August but it worsened after repeated visits to Mount Paektu,' a source was quoted as saying, referring to the country's sacred mountain. 

The dictator's health woes also come as North Korean authorities revealed to citizens in public lectures that there were confirmed cases of the coronavirus in the country as early as the end of March. 

There was no indication that Kim may have contracted the deadly flu-like infection, also known as COVID-19. 

The Unification Ministry, which deals with inter-Korean affairs, said it couldn't confirm another report by Daily NK, which cited anonymous sources to report that Kim was recovering from heart surgery in the capital Pyongyang and that his condition was improving. 

Losing the dictator would likely result in a power struggle since Kim has not specifically named a successor. 

Among those who are seen as likely candidates who may try to take the top leadership position are Kim's sister, Kim Yo-jong.

Source: Daily Mirror,co.uk