金正恩出席連級指揮官大會,看來無異常。路透社
金正恩在會上發表講話。法新社
金正恩向軍官發表講話。路透社

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un was reportedly hospitalized in Beijing due to severe intracranial hemorrhage but later died. This news triggered speculations of national mourning in North Korea after two days of significant internet disruptions. However, reports surfaced that Kim Jong-un entered Dandong, China, crossing the New Yalu River Bridge and starting his official visit to China. South Korea's National Intelligence Service (NIS) stated that the death reports were false. On Saturday, the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported that Kim Jong-un held a two-day plenary session for military commanders in Pyongyang. Kim Jong-un reportedly attended a meeting for regiment-level commanders from the 22nd to the 23rd, at which he delivered a speech, indicating no apparent health issues. Meanwhile, North Korea experienced a large-scale internet disruption, with over 40 websites inaccessible, starting from the 20th. The South Korean NIS clarified that there was no evidence to support the claims of Kim's death. Analysts suspect the internet disruptions may have been due to a distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attack, but the identity of the attackers remains unclear. During the military commanders' meeting, Kim Jong-un urged the creation of elite and self-sustaining units. This reflects the focus on strengthening military power that has been a priority in the North Korean regime.