Although reliant on a cane, Kim Jong
Eun emerged from his 41-day absence from public view in photos released on Tuesday, proving he is
still well and fit to govern.
North Korea’s party newspaper, Rodong Sinmun, published
images of Kim touring the recently completed Wisong Scientists Residential
District in Pyongyang, candidly displaying the leader with a cane in his left
hand. It also carried pictures of Kim with a big smile as he gave “field
guidance” and a snapshot of Kim with scientists soon to move into their
new homes.
Kim’s absence for the past 41 days since his last public
appearance on September 3rd at a concert for Moranbong Band had fueled a deluge
of rumors about his health and whereabouts.
Questions about his health first arose on July 8th, when he
attended a national memorial service commemorating the 20th anniversary of the
death of his grandfather, Kim Il Sung. There he was spotted with a noticeable
limp. Following this, his 40-day disappearance led to a slew of wild
rumors not only about his health, but speculation that he had been imprisoned,
fallen into a vegetative state, or overthrown in a coup.
The leader is believed to have rushed back into the public
sphere, despite not having fully recovered and dependent on a cane, to quash
ungrounded hearsay. No leader of North Korea in the past has made such an
appearance in visibly unfit conditions, adding more weight to this theory.
Not only that, given that the speed of information spreads
at a much faster rate within the country compared to before, he is also seen as
making this early comeback to root out uncertainties and prevent any unrest
among the public. Daily NK had previously reported on rumors circulating among
North Koreans that Kim Jong Eun had received surgery on his left ankle.
It is likely the leader chose the Wisong District as his
site of return, despite his partial recovery, to build up a more inmin
[people]-friendly image and rally solidarity within. A South Korean government
official said, “[The decision] reflects the dual policy of pursuing nuclear
power and economic development,” adding, “[we can] speculate that he chose that
venue, because it’s a project he initiated, and it has produced visible results
that can be considered satisfactory.”
Meanwhile, according to a source with close ties to North
Korea , three main possibilities were being reviewed in relation to Kim’s
health: gout, ankle injury, and plantar fasciitis [a common source of heel
pain]. However, it has not been possible to fully verify any of the listed
conditions.
There had been analysis on the dangers of gout leading to
risks to the heart among doctors and specialists. Especially, given there is a
family history with both Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il suffering heart attacks,
the South Korean government had also paid close attention.
In the case of the condition being an ankle injury, there
had been beliefs that it was either from playing basketball or giving a
demonstration to soldiers during a military drill. Seoul is said to believe Kim
was treated for both legs, due the limp noticeable on his left and right side.
