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The news fell sharply this morning in Asia: "Kim Jong-un is in serious condition after undergoing surgery," says the head of the US network CNN. The outlet is based on information from a Trump administration official who highlights the absence of the North Korean leader in public appearances since April 11, when he chaired a meeting of the Workers' Party. Above all, his absence on April 15 to the 108th anniversary of the birth of his grandfather, Kim Il Sung, one of the most important events in the country, drew attention to the rumors about his state of health.

The Seoul-based daily NK newspaper run by North Korean defectors also reported that Kim underwent surgery on April 12 for a cardiovascular condition due to his "excessive smoking, obesity and overwork." He would now be receiving treatment at a villa in Hyangsan County, outside Pyongyang, and would be in "grave danger."

These same textual words were quoted by a US official to CNN, assuring that Washington is aware of Kim Jong-un's delicate state of health. The media also reported the statements of Bruce Klingner, a principal investigator member of the Heritage Foundation and former deputy chief of the CIA division for North Korea: "There have been a series of recent rumors about Kim's health. If he is Hospitalized, it would explain why he was not present at the important celebrations on April 15. But, over the years, there have been many false health rumors . We will have to wait and see. "

According to journalist Jennifer Jacobs of Bloomberg, the White House had received information about the heart operation that the North Korean leader had undergone. "If he is alive, his state of health is serious," an official source told this newspaper.

South Korea's Yonhap agency has released a statement this morning claiming that the South Korean government has seen no unusual signs regarding Kim Jong-un's health. "Kim has reportedly had health problems apparently related to obesity and smoking. Her prolonged absence from public opinion has often raised the possibility of deterioration in her health. It is extremely difficult to obtain information about the lonely country, especially about their leader, "says Yonhap's note.

The South Korean government has declined to respond to questions from the EFE Agency regarding the condition of Kim Jong-Un, nor to reports of his alleged heart operation disclosed by the Daily NK newspaper.

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