International center / Reports indicate that recent media from South Korea cited that Kim Jong-un suddenly lost consciousness while directing citizens in Wonsan, Gangwon Province, arousing significant public interest. Several screenshots, purportedly from CNN, circulated on social media indicating he was urgently taken to a specialized hospital in Pyongyang due to a stroke and was in a prolonged coma. Some reports even claimed that he succumbed after surgery by a French medical team. In response, South Korean intelligence agencies quickly clarified the authenticity of these reports, categorizing them as false information.

North Korean state media, KCNA, also published multiple photos on May 30 showing Kim Jong-un participating in important meetings and military events in an attempt to dispel rumors. According to the Daily North Korea, rumors started spreading online and on social media from May 27, claiming Kim Jong-un fainted during an inspection in Wonsan and was urgently hospitalized. The articles were even marked as 'CNN breaking news', stating 'Kim Jong-un transferred from Wonsan to Pyongyang specialty hospital', 'coma for over ten days, no cure', and 'he underwent surgery by French doctors but still died.'

These health rumors surrounding Kim Jong-un are not new. Similar fake news circulated internationally in April 2020 and July 2021, with reports suggesting he faced complications post-heart surgery, leading to widespread concern. However, it was noted that he had undergone routine medical procedures and was recovering well, contradicting the outside narrative.