March 29, 2024
Analysis

Assassination attempt on Kim Jong Un: What do North Korea watchers think?

North Korea observers discuss the timing

When foreign journalists attended North Korea's Day of the Sun parade on April 15, no one could have known that weeks later Pyongyang would be claiming U.S. and South Korean intelligence services had been hatching a plan to assassinate Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un the very same day.

A North Korean known simply as "Kim" had been paid to carry out an attack with biochemical substances "targeting the supreme leadership during events at the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun and at military parade and public procession after his return home," DPRK state media said unexpectedly on Friday.

Become a member for less than $4 per week.

  • Unlimited access to all of NK News: reporting, investigations, analysis
  • The NK News Daily Update, an email newsletter to keep you in the loop
  • Searchable archive of all content, photo galleries, special columns
  • Contact NK News reporters with tips or requests for reporting
Get unlimited access to all NK News content, including original reporting, investigations, and analyses by our team of DPRK experts.
Subscribe now

All major cards accepted. No commitments – you can cancel any time.