South Korean defector-politicians apologize for Kim Jong Un health speculation

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South Korean defector-politicians apologize for Kim Jong Un health speculation

Ruling party lawmakers condemn Thae Yong-ho and Ji Seong-ho for "attention-seeking" and "propaganda"

Jeongmin Kim May 4, 2020

South Korean defector-politicians apologize for Kim Jong Un health speculation

KCNA

Two prominent defector-turned-politicians in South Korea on Monday formally apologized for earlier speculation about the health of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

In a statement following Kim's surprise reappearance in state media on Saturday, former diplomat and a newly-elected lawmaker Thae Yong-ho apologised for earlier comments suggesting the North Korean leader could no longer "stand up by himself or walk properly."

About the Author

Jeongmin Kim

Jeongmin Kim is the Lead Correspondent at NK News and Editorial Director at KOREA PRO, based in Seoul. Kim covers inter-Korean relations and North and South Korean foreign and military affairs. Kim has covered the 2022 ROK presidential election on the ground, and prior to joining NK News, she worked for the CSIS Korea Chair in Washington D.C. and Reuters news agency’s Seoul bureau. Follow her on Twitter @jeongminnkim

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