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China-Japan-Koreas
Fat Boy Absent on Important Anniversary
2014-10-13
Speculation over the health and political status of Pudgy Kim Jong-un intensified Friday, as the North Korean leader remained out of public view on an important anniversary for the secretive, communist nation.

Kim, thought to be about 31 years old, has not been seen in public since he attended a concert on Sept. 3, prompting speculation he is suffering from serious health problems, was sidelined in a coup and that it's possible his sister has taken over. The longer he remains out of sight, the more uncertainly grows about the stability of a regime based on hereditary rule.
Shot in a coup. That's the rumor the CIA should be spreading...
State media, which normally provide a near-daily account of the activities of the North Korean leader, have offered few clues, except for mentioning in passing that the leader is experiencing "discomfort."

Some analysts say an important hint was offered Friday, the 69th anniversary of the founding of the ruling Korean Workers Party. For the past two years, Pudge Kim has marked the event with a midnight visit to Pyongyang's Kumsusan Palace of the Sun, the mausoleum of his father, Kim Jong-il, and grandfather, Kim Il-sung.

But Kim's name did not appear on a list of dignitaries who made the annual visit to the mausoleum. The list, published by the North's Korean Central News Agency, did say that a flower basket with Kim's name was left at the site.

South Korea's government on Friday insisted Kim appears to be "ruling normally."
Define 'normal' for someone who barking mad...
Unification Ministry spokesman Lim Byeong-cheol also said Seoul has no information that could confirm the state of his health. Lim said the assessment is based on greetings sent to Seoul officials by a senior North Korean delegation that made a surprise visit to the closing of the Asian games in South Korea last week.

The delegation was led by Hwang Pyong-so, believed to be the new number one Kim's number two, reinforcing unfounded speculation that Kim may have been politically sidelined. Others said it proved there have been no changes in leadership.

"When the high-level officials visited South Korea, Suet Face Kim Jong-un sent through them a message to South Korean President Park Geun-hye," Lim said. "Based on this and information from the [North Korean] Army General Political Bureau, and North Korea continued coverage, it appears that Kim Jong-un's control is stable."

South Korean Defense Minister Han Min-koo said earlier this week that intelligence indicated the North Korean leader was staying "at a certain place north of Pyongyang." He offered no other details.

Analyst Kang Chol-hwan, with the North Korea Strategy Center in Seoul says it is not unprecedented for Kim Jong-un to disappear from public view while recuperating from injury.

"Kim Il-sung was out of sight after he had surgery to remove a tumor, and Kim Jong-il was absent after he was injured while riding a horse," he said.

The possibility of a shakeup in North Korea's leadership he says would not be good for the security of the region, the analyst says, explaining that if North Korea tries to improve inter-Korean relations, leadership must be stable.
Or blown away. Either works. If they're gone South Korea and China could draw a new border and make things work.
In July, the corpulent portly Kim was seen awkwardly limping across a stage at a ceremony marking the 20th anniversary of the death of his grandfather, the country's founding president.

Shortly thereafter, a state media documentary mentioned in passing that the leader, regarded by many North Koreans as an almost divine figure, was experiencing unspecified "discomfort."

South Korean media have reported Kim suffers from gout -- which runs in the family -- in addition to high cholesterol, high blood pressure and diabetes, all related to obesity and his reported fondness for imported cheese. Earlier this week, VOA reported some analysts believe he may be recovering from some kind of sucking chest wound leg surgery.
Posted by:Steve White

#6  He is having a hard time
Living the good life

/channeling the Grateful Dead
Posted by: Alaska Paul   2014-10-13 20:22  

#5  Fat Boy Absent on Important Anniversary
Taken from the Ebama playbook.
Posted by: Skidmark   2014-10-13 15:36  

#4  Mistaken for one of those leaflet dropping balloons. ( only his clothing would have said "Goodyear")
Posted by: USN, Ret.   2014-10-13 14:37  

#3  Maybe he should eat some prunes.
Posted by: Ebbang Uluque6305   2014-10-13 11:43  

#2  Yeah, shot with a pastry gun.
Posted by: swksvolFF   2014-10-13 11:40  

#1  Saw some footage of Kim Jong the other day. He was dragging a foot, limping like he had gout. Too much high living?
Posted by: JohnQC   2014-10-13 10:11  

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