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Kim Jong Un's absence tied to ankle surgery

Speculation rose after he was not seen in public in nearly a month.

By Ed Adamczyk
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, seen on a large television screen. UPI/Stephen Shaver
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, seen on a large television screen. UPI/Stephen Shaver | License Photo

SEOUL , Sept. 30 (UPI) -- North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's departure from the world stage for nearly a month has been traced to ankle surgery, a report said.

Kim fractured both ankles and had surgery in Pyongyang, North Korea's capital, reported Chosun Ilbo, South Korea's largest newspaper, on Tuesday, citing an unnamed source.

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He was seen limping at an event in July and missed a regular assembly meeting in August of the Supreme People's Assembly.

Speculation ranged from a political coup to a stroke, or gout, which is hereditary in his family; Korean Central Television reported he was in "indisposed condition" and North Korean Central Television said he suffered from "discomfort" -- both rare admissions by state news sources. Kim has not been seen in public since he attended a concert Sept. 3.

It was suggested this week on Weibo, China's Twitter social media platform, that Kim was overthrown by Jo Myong Rok, a North Korean vice marshal who died four years ago, prompting a commentary in Global Times, a Chinese official newspaper, entitled, "For those who make up rumors of coup in North Korea, is it so funny?"

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