'건강이상설' 김정은, 20일째 두문분출…트럼프 "무슨 일 진행 중인지 이해하고 있어"
The North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has not been seen in public for weeks now, amid rumors about his health.
The White House seems to know what's going on but isn't saying much.
If Kim were to become unable to rule, the U.S. Congressional Research Service suggests that the one to succeed him would be his younger sister, Kim Yo-jong.
Our Hong Yoo reports.
Amid speculation that he might be seriously ill, the North Korean leader has not made a public appearance for 20 consecutive days.
U.S. President Donald Trump said Thursday that he knows what's going on but can't talk about it.
"Well, I understand what's going on. And I just can't talk about Kim Jong Un right now. I just hope everything is going to be fine. But I do understand the situation very well."
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a radio interview that the U.S. has not been able to identify a public appearance by Kim, which is unusual but not unheard of.
He added that they are monitoring the situation closely, but in any case, their mission is to denuclearize the regime to create a brighter future for the North Korean people.
On Wednesday, the U.S. Congressional Research Service released a report on the U.S.-North Korea relationship in which it said that in the event of a succession, it's highly likely that power would go to Kim Yo-jong, Kim Jong-un's sister.
Kim Yo-jong has been playing a key role in her brother's summit diplomacy, but analysts wonder whether the regime would put a woman in charge, especially without the explicit blessing of her brother.
It added that if there's a power struggle, it could have major implications for the U.S., such as questions about control of North Korea's nuclear weapons, the potential for a humanitarian crisis, and the possibility of a confrontation with China that could alter the fundamental security structure of the region.
Hong Yoo, Arirang News.
