Japanese Sources Report That Kim Jong Un is in Vegetative State

While the world continues to grapple with a global coronavirus pandemic, it appears as though a new humanitarian crisis could be coming to the Far East as well.

Varying reports out of the region seem to indicate that something is very amiss in North Korea.  It appears as though Kim Jong Un, the country’s dainty despot, is in grave condition, possibly due to complications from surgery.

Reports emerged earlier this week that Kim was gravely ill following heart surgery, although that has since been disputed. However, Japanese media now claims that Kim is in a vegetative state following a stent procedure.

Japanese magazine Shukan Gendai reported that Kim collapsed during a visit to a rural area in April. Kim reportedly required a stent procedure following the incident.

Shukan Gendai subsequently detailed how the surgeon in charge of Kim’s operation was not used to dealing with obese patients and was too nervous during the operation, leading to delays that left Kim in a “vegetative state.”

The magazine cited an unnamed member of Kim’s medical team.

Kim’s iron grip on North Korea has long been a concern for the world at large, as the hermit kingdom continues to antagonize the international order with sporadic ballistic missile launches and threats of nuclear testing.

The nation itself is largely impoverished, however, with a medical infrastructure that hasn’t often been considered competent.  Should the DPRK be downplaying the effects of coronavirus within the country, and should Kim Jong Un perish, there is no telling what sort of horrific scenes could play out in the coming days.