Donald Trump rejects rumours that Kim Jong-un is unwell and attacks 'fake report'
President Trump has rejected reports that Kim Jong-un is seriously ill, criticising his frequent nemesis CNN for running the story.
CNN, quoting what it said was an anonymous US official, on Monday reported that Washington was "monitoring intelligence" that the North Korean leader was in "grave danger" after undergoing surgery. Daily NK, an online media outlet run mostly by defectors from the North, said that Mr Kim underwent a cardiovascular procedure earlier this month and was recovering at a villa in North Phyongan province.
The report said that Mr Kim, who is in his mid-30s, had needed urgent treatment due to heavy smoking, obesity and fatigue.
But Mr Trump told reporters on Thursday that the doubted the story. "I think the report was incorrect, let me just put it that way," Mr Trump said. "I'm hearing they used old documents."
The US president declined to say if he had direct knowledge from North Korea that Mr Kim was fine.
He instead attacked CNN, the news network with which the US leader has an acrimonious relationship.
"I think it was a fake report done by CNN," Mr Trump said at a daily briefing on the coronavirus pandemic, before refusing to take further questions from a journalist of the network.
Mr Trump's denial of the report came two days after he declined to comment, saying only that he wished Mr Kim well.
South Korea, which is still technically at war with the North, earlier said it could not confirm the reports on Mr Kim and reported no unusual movements in its neighbour.
Mr Trump has met Mt Kim three times in historic summits and has voiced admiration for him, although hopes have dimmed for reaching a comprehensive agreement on nuclear weapons and sanctions.
"I hope he's not in medical trouble. I hope he's not. I have gotten along very well with him," Mr Trump said Thursday.
"Remember you would have been in a war with North Korea if I didn't get elected president."
Mr Trump declined to say when he was last in touch with Mr Kim, saying: "We have a good relationship with North Korea, as good as you can have."
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