North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has appeared in state media with his daughter after rumours of his death spread across social media.
Kim attended a clothing and footwear exhibition in Pyongyang on Monday, accompanied by his wife and daughter.
The public appearance came as unverified claims about his health gained attention online.
The Kim Jong Un death rumours circulated on X and Bluesky, with some posts claiming he had fallen into a coma.
Others alleged he had been taken to a hospital in Beijing, but no reliable evidence supported these claims.
North Korea’s state news agency, Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), reported on Tuesday that Kim visited the National Garment and Footwear Exhibition-2026.
Images released by state media showed him walking around the exhibition venue with his family.
His appearance offered a public response to the online claims, although it did not provide a detailed update on his health.
During the visit, Kim praised the event’s role in improving living standards across the country.
He said it showed “the development of the light industry sector, which is promoting the improvement of the material and cultural welfare of the people and making rapid progress.”
Kim also highlighted factories built in recent years under his “20×10” regional development project.
The programme aims to improve living conditions in rural areas.
The reports about Kim’s alleged death appeared to gain traction between Sunday and Monday.
However, no reputable source cited in the reports confirmed the allegations.
Analysis by NK News suggested that online sharing patterns, possibly involving automated accounts, may have helped spread the rumours.
Similar claims circulated in 2020, when reports about Kim’s health sparked international attention. He later reappeared in North Korean state media after a period away from public view.
