North Korean Media Silent on Kim's Whereabouts

Amid health rumors in North Korea over Leader’s condition, Reuters reported that Pyongyang media on Wednesday made no mention of leader Kim Jong Un's whereabouts.

Earlier, an intense international speculation over Kim’s health was sparked by media reports he was gravely ill after a cardiovascular procedure.

According to Reuters, North Korean media presented a business as usual image, carrying routine reporting of Kim's achievements, publishing his older or undated quotes on issues like the economy.

On Wednesday, the main headlines from KCNA included pieces on sports equipment, mulberry picking, and a meeting in Bangladesh to study North Korea's "juche" or self-reliance ideology. The official Rodong Sinmun newspaper carried older or undated remarks attributed to Kim in articles about the economy, the textile industry, city development, and other topics.

South Korea and China along with sources familiar with U.S. intelligence have earlier casted doubt over reports in American media, while the White House said it was closely monitoring the matter.

On his part, US President Donald Trump said the reports had not been confirmed and he did not put much credence in them. Trump had held unprecedented summits with Kim in 2018 and 2019 in an attempt to push for effective nuclear talk aiming at persuading Kim to give up his weapons. 

"I just hope he's doing fine," Trump told a White House news conference on Tuesday. "I've had a very good relationship with Kim Jong Un. And I'd like to see him do well. We'll see how he does. We don't know if the reports are true."

Asked whether he would try to reach out to Kim to check on his condition, Trump said: "Well I may, but I just hope he's doing fine."

Speculation about Kim's health first arose due to his absence from the anniversary of the birthday of North Korea's founding father and Kim's grandfather, Kim Il Sung, on April 15.

Daily NK, a Seoul-based website, reported late on Monday that Kim, who is believed to be about 36, was hospitalised on April 12, hours before the cardiovascular procedure.