Rumor: Chinese Doctors Treating Kim Jong-il
by Richardson ~ September 5th, 2008. Filed under: DPRK Military, Kim Jong-il.Update: As of last evening no English language sources had this story, but the AP and KBS Global have picked it up overnight, both with essentially the same details as the Chosun Ilbo article: Kim Jong-il has not been seen since 14 August, and five Chinese doctors are in country to treat him.
Original Post: 
Per the Chosun Ilbo (Korean) and via Sonagi at the Marmot’s, there are rumors that five Chinese doctors are in North Korea treating “high ranking officials,” presumably Kim Jong-il. According to the Korean Central News Agency, Kim inspected and had a photo session with KPA Unit 1319, however the Chosun Ilbo notes that Kim has not been active publicly since then.
Kim’s heart disease and diabetes immediately come to mind, though complications related to those diseases or other factors could be involved, if the rumors are even accurate.
Perhaps time to dust of posts on ‘what if Kim dies’? (part 1) (part 2).
September 5th, 2008 at 8:11 pm
With no evidence of succession, I am beginning to think there are no plans for one. It is my belief KJI sees the writing on the wall. If he kicks the bucket, I am convinced it is the end of the current regime.
It does not mean whatever or whoever takes over will be better mind you, but I cannot see it any other way. As you know, it took over 20 years to legitimize the Kim Jong Il cult.
September 5th, 2008 at 8:38 pm
Yes, there has been no obvious campaign to prepare the population for the next Kim. One could still come to power, but likely not with absolute power and not for long. My guess remains group rule of some sort, until things disintegrate.
If Kim Jong-il died, it might act to pull the North Korean people together in unity for a time over fear of the future (e.g., probably official media would warn them of an impending attack by the American Imperialists, etc.).
But I think that a lot of people would also be happy to see Kim Jong-il die (a fat man among the survivors of famine, placing endless restrictions on their markets, etc.), and that chaos would eventually ensue, finally bringing outside intervention and whatever comes of that. Probably nothing good.
September 5th, 2008 at 10:21 pm
[…] Via DPRK Studies comes news of a report from the Chosun Ilbo that Kim Jong-il is currently being treated by Chinese doctors in Pyongyang. […]
September 9th, 2008 at 9:34 am
Kim might has suffered a stroke:
http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5j2zReXndGtxbEQ9gsY3SWxImKHHw
September 9th, 2008 at 10:08 am
Ding dong Kim Jong-il is dead? This will surely make the Chinese even jumpier if it’s true…..worried about their buffer state.
September 9th, 2008 at 11:18 am
this is another great historical period
and tomorrow the LHC starting
exciting week!
September 9th, 2008 at 11:19 am
i wanted to say “historical event”
September 9th, 2008 at 12:09 pm
There is no confirmation if he is dead, furthermore, there is no word on the severity of the stroke if indeed he had one.
So I would not be celebrating just yet…
September 9th, 2008 at 12:28 pm
well you are right of course, but we will see how the regime will react
September 9th, 2008 at 5:29 pm
If Kim Jong Il is dead or incapacitated with no hope of ever showing his face as the man actively leading the nation again — once word of that leaks out inside the North —
— my money is on the North falling apart rapidly.
It is when news like this comes out — I really worry about my wife’s family in South Korea and the South Koreans like the ones I got to know while I taught there - and the members of USFK…..
September 10th, 2008 at 7:22 pm
I expect to see the phrase “North Korean ruling junta” a lot more in the coming years.
September 10th, 2008 at 10:55 pm
No longer rumor it appears, Kim Jong Il did suffer from a stroke, and “may” have had surgery performed by Chinese and/or French doctors.
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5i-7J8W3U3hGqe6cckzwh0tmHJRbAD9348L600
September 13th, 2008 at 8:01 pm
It would be interesting if it ends like Romania, East Germany or the Soviet Union or just slugs on forever like Burma. The DPRK has so many types of WMD, someone better watch were they all disappear off to. Good luck work, that mess could spill over to far flung places.