Kim Jong Un Death Hoax: Is North Korea's Supreme Leader Dead? Photoshopped Image of Kim Jong Il's Funeral Goes Viral

Seoul, April 25: Social media was gripped by another hoax related to North Korea's Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un, as photoshopped images of "his funeral" went viral. Upon a fact-check, it was found that the images were maliciously designed, using the visuals available from the last rites of Jong Un's father Kim Jong Il. Kim Jong Un 'Brain Dead' or Infected With 'Coronavirus'? Here is What New Reports Say About North Korean Leader's Health.

The fresh round of rumours came in backdrop of reports which claimed that Jong Un has either been hit by a terminal disease or has been declared brain dead. Even as the Pyongyang state media has not trashed the reports related to Jong Un, no confirmation has been received from either the country or its closest ally - China. Kim Jong Un's Health Status Unknown, China Fuels Speculations by Sending Team of Medics to North Korea.

The hoax on social media was shared with the edited image of Jong Un's father's funeral, along with a note which claimed that a satellite-TV based in Beijing has aired the visuals from the North Korean Supreme Leader's funeral.

Unverified News Viral on Social Media

#Breaking A Beijing-backed satellite TV, who's vice director is also a niece of a Chinese foreign minister, confirms that Kim Jong Un is dead.

Vice director of HKSTV has told her 15 million followers on Weibo that #KimJongUn death claim was backed by a "very solid source." pic.twitter.com/fhwkffhXyJ

— Rahul Upadhyay (@rahulrajnews) April 25, 2020

Twitterati Bust Hoax

#KimJongUn is not dead.

This is a photo from 8 years ago. pic.twitter.com/6kBEXaZJFN

— Amama Benn Benedict (@AmamaBenn) April 25, 2020

'Fake News'

The death of #KimJongUn is a fake, is a photoshoped img from his dead father Kim Jong Il

don't spread fake news, retweet this pic.twitter.com/bHqGGYRVX9

— Demian Magnate XL (@Maggnatte) April 25, 2020

Be Cautious About Misinformation

It has been going around that Kim Jong-Un is dead.

I would advise being cautious about this information, at least until it is confirmed by oficial authorities (i.e. DoD, Chinese gov) or the North Korean government itself. #KIMJONGUNDEAD #KimJongUn pic.twitter.com/6o2vXyjA4b

— Lucas H. (@LucasRHil) April 25, 2020

'Strap Line in Japanese'

If you are going to create a viral image of #KimJongUn and claim it to be ‘leaked on a Singapore news network’ it would rather help to not have the strap line in Japanese. pic.twitter.com/TGoLpwCABL

— James Wong (@Botanygeek) April 25, 2020

Jong Un, born in 1984, became one of the youngest heads of state in the world after he assumed power in 2011 -- at the age of 27 -- following the death of his father and then ruler Kim Jong Il. Under Jong Un's leadership, North Korea has been further isolated from the world. Despite pressure from arch-rival United States, the Jong Un regime did not halt its campaign to strengthen the nuclear arsenal.

Leading publications across the globe reported four days ago that Jong Un was either dead or incapacitated due to health-related ailments. The speculations were further fueled as the Pyongyang's state-run news agency has not denied the reports so far. Earlier today, Reuters reported that China has sent a team of doctors to North Korea to ascertain the health of the Supreme Leader.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Apr 25, 2020 04:27 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).