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May 18, 2020
Kim Jong-un dead? Mysterious removal at major square hints at major announcement - expert
THE removal of two portraits and a statue from Kim Il-Sung Square in Pyongyang has triggered further speculation about the well-being of Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un - with one expert suggesting the move could precede confirmation that he had in fact died.
by CIARAN MCGRATH
Express.co.uk
The massive portraits of Kim Il-sung and Kim Jong-il - Kim's grandfather and father respectively - were reported by the Seoul-based, US-backed NK News website on Friday. Additionally, journalist Roy Calley, whose book, Look With Your Eyes and Tell the World, chronicles his numerous trips to the Hermit State as a tourist, said it was his understanding a statue of Kim Jong-il had also been removed.
He told Express.co.uk: "The last time that happened was when the place was being renovated following the death of the Dear Leader.
"The fact that portraits have been removed is very interesting.
"Kim Jong-un can't have any statues or portraits unless he's dead.
"The square is huge (think Beijing) so I can't see why they'd be enlarging it.
Kim Jong-un performs a ribbon-cutting ceremony - but his health remains the subject of speculation
Mr Calley said he understood a statue of Kim Jong-il had also been removed
"I'm guessing (and only that) they are preparing to add a third statue and portrait, but who knows?"
The portrait area the square, which is located in the country's capital, has not been altered since 2012, the year after Kim's father died and was replaced by his son.
NK News claimed satellite pictures taken on Monday showed the main observation deck where senior officials watch military parades had been demolished.
The outlet also claimed the western side of the square was closed off to traffic.
Portraits of Kim Il-sung and Kim Jong-il in Pyong Yang Square have apparently been removed
The developments follow a period of intense speculation about the 36-year-old's health.
Widespread rumours suggested he was either dead, or in a vegetative state, as a result of botched heart surgery, after he missed the birthday celebrations for Kim Il-sung, the nation's founder, on April 15 - something he had never previously done.
After being absent from the public eye for almost three weeks, footage purportedly showed him opening a fertiliser factory in Pyong Yong was released by state media in an apparent bid to quash the claims.
However, at the time Mr Calley pointed out there was no way of proving when this was shot.
Kim Jong-un was pictured smoking in the clip
Kim Yo-jong, Kim's sister, is seen as a possible successor
He said: "Maybe I'm just being cynical but it does not look right to me.
"There is no way of telling when this picture was taken.
"This is just another factory in Pyong Yang and it's a really odd picture to release all of a sudden.
"There is simply no way to date it and the thing is, in the normal course of events, every day there is a picture released of the Supreme Leader opening something."
North Korea is known as the Hermit State
Nevertheless, Mr Calley added: "They have history with this kind of thing. He went missing before, for 40 days, and when he returned he was walking with a cane because of an operation."
During the clip, Kim, who appears noticeably underweight, is also pictured smoking and Mr Calley said: "The thing is he is not a fit human being whatever way you look at it."
If Kim Jong-un was to have died, his sister, Kim Yo-jong, is regarded as a possible successor - although her gender may make this difficult.
In a report published by the 38 North website, analysts Chris Steinitz, Ken Gause and Elizabeth Yang said: "The systematic rise and positioning of Kim Yo-jong signals the development of a continuity of governance plan, although the details of this plan remain unclear.
Kim Jong-un at the factory - but the date of the footage cannot be confirmed
"It could be that Kim Yo-jong was being groomed as his successor, or alternatively that she would plays a prominent leadership role, perhaps as some sort of regent.
"What is clear is that by virtue of the responsibilities her brother has granted her, she will have a seat at the table and is likely to be the person responsible for protecting the Kim family equities.
"Whether someone like Kim Yo-jong would sit atop this structure or would assume the role of Supreme Leader is unclear.
"It is also possible that some male member of the Kim family could be put forth as a figurehead for legitimacy purposes, instead of Kim Yo-jong."
http://www.express.co.uk/news/world/1283094/kim-jong-un-dead-north-korea-statue-portraits-kim-jong-il-pyong-yang-supreme-leader
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