North Korea releases photographs of Kim Jong Un visiting a clothing and footwear exhibition after unverified death rumours spread online.
Pyongyang: North Korean state media has released fresh photographs showing leader Kim Jong Un attending a national clothing and footwear exhibition, following unverified social-media rumours claiming that he had died or was critically ill.
The Korean Central News Agency reported that Kim visited the National Garment and Footwear Exhibition 2026 on October 19. He was accompanied by his wife, Ri Sol-ju, and daughter, Kim Ju-ae.
The photographs, published on October 20, show Kim inspecting garments, shoes and other consumer products. However, North Korean authorities did not directly address the online claims concerning his health.
Death Claims Remain Unverified
Speculation spread online alleging that Kim had suffered a brain haemorrhage, entered a coma or died. Other posts claimed that Chinese medical specialists had travelled to North Korea to treat him.
No credible evidence or official confirmation supported these claims. Specialist publication NK News described the rumours as unfounded, while North Korea-focused reporting confirmed Kim’s appearance at the exhibition.
Because North Korea tightly controls information concerning its leadership, Kim’s periods of absence from public events have repeatedly triggered speculation. Similar reports circulated in 2020 but were disproved when he subsequently appeared at an official function.
Kim Highlights Light-Industry Production
According to KCNA, more than 70,700 garments across over 30 categories and approximately 170,000 pairs of shoes were displayed at the exhibition. Products came from more than 270 factories and manufacturing units.
Kim reportedly said the exhibition demonstrated progress in product development and quality improvement. He linked the displayed goods to his government’s Regional Development 20×10 Policy, under which modern factories and public facilities are planned in 20 cities and counties annually for ten years.
The newly released images strongly challenge the viral death claims, although photographs distributed by North Korean state media cannot independently establish every detail concerning when they were taken.
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