North Korean leader Kim Jong Un attended a clothing and shoe exhibition with his daughter on Monday, according to state media reports published the following day.
The appearance was reported as unsubstantiated claims about his death or serious illness circulated on social media.
Rumors Spread on X Before State Media Report
The rumors spread on X between Sunday and Monday, according to NK News.
At least two popular profiles critical of the Chinese Communist Party claimed, without evidence, that Kim had died or fallen into a coma and been taken to a hospital in Beijing.
The claims appeared among the top trending topics in the United States as of late Monday, NK News reported.
The online posts did not provide evidence supporting their claims about Kim's health or an alleged hospitalization.
The available account identifies the social media profiles as the initial amplifiers of the rumors but does not establish the claims as factual.
North Korean state media reported Kim's attendance at the expo the day after the event, offering a public account of his activities amid the online speculation.
