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Spy Agency Denies Rumors of Kim Jong-un's Death

South Korea's spy agency, the National Intelligence Service, reported to a parliamentary committee on Friday that recent social media rumors claiming North Korean leader Kim Jong-un might have died are false, according to Yonhap and the Korea Times. The agency reportedly noted no unusual signs, with one outlet citing his weight as over 140 kilograms. Meanwhile, U.S. experts say a Trump-Kim summit is unlikely in the near future due to Pyongyang's demands, and Chinese President Xi Jinping reaffirmed ties with North Korea in a reply to Kim's letter. Korean media coverage focuses on the official denial, while the rumors themselves are described as unverified social media speculation.

  1. Spy agency said to assess that social media rumors of N. Korean leader's death are false Korea Times · 2026-10-23
  2. Spy agency said to assess that social media rumors of N. Korean leader's death are false Yonhap · 2026-10-23
  3. 韩情报机构:“金正恩身亡”系假消息 韩联社 · 2026-10-23
  4. 국정원, 김정은 사망설에 “140㎏대 초고도 비만…이상 징후는 없어” 한겨레
  5. Trump-Kim summit unlikely in near future amid N. Korean demands: US experts Korea Times · 2026-10-23
  6. Xi reaffirms commitment to strengthening ties with N. Korea in reply to Kim Jong-un's letter Korea Times · 2026-10-22

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