Kim Jong-un Coup Attempt: North Korean Leader may have Fled Pyongyang Amid Threats to Life

After various reports that claimed that North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un was lying low due to his excessive weight gain – thanks to his love for Swiss cheese – it now looks like the story could have simply been a cover-up as the infamous leader reportedly faces death threats from possible defectors in his country.

The North Korean capital city has been under intense lockdown, reports are now saying, raising questions on whether the reclusive regime is on the verge of its doom. Quoting reliable sources in the country, the Telegraph reported that a ban on new travel passes to leave or enter Pyongyang was introduced on 27 September.

Kim Jong-un Coup Attempt: North Korean Leader may have Fled Pyongyang Amid Threats to Life

"This sort of action suggests that there has either been an attempted coup or the authorities there have uncovered some sort of ploy against the leadership," the British daily quoted Toshimitsu Shigumura, a professor at Tokyo's Waseda University and an authority on North Korean affairs.

Kim Jong-Un's 1 month disappearance + unexpected and surprising visits from the second and third most influential people in North Korea + Pyongyang lockdown = Coup d'état?

Now it must be noted that there is some contradictory information floating around. For starters, the Pyongyang lockdown has been reported on by New Focus International, a news site staffed by North Korean defectors with sources in the North. Another North Korean news site has reported that no lockdown is underway.

Another topic of interest is that while the North Korean media has stated that Kim Jong-Un is experiencing 'discomfort', North Korean officials have stated that not hing is wrong with the leader's health .

Make of this what you will. I think it is suspicious. North Korea is providing mixed messages.

My personal belief is that Kim Jong-Un has been subject to a coup d'état, and that the unexpected and unannounced visit to South Korea, by the most influential men in North Korea (behind Kim Jong-Un), only solidifies that something is underway. I believe that all will be revealed on October 10th, the Party Foundation Day. After all, it marks the foundation of the Workers' Party of Korea, and it would be oddly suspicious if Kim Jong-Un were to not attend. I think it will be the day we see if anything has truly happened.

a reply to: daaskapital

It's good news for a western standpoint but I can't help feel the timing of this along with other events right now is truly amazing!

What's next Putin is really transgender?

originally posted by: AnteBellum
a reply to: daaskapital

It's good news for a western standpoint but I can't help feel the timing of this along with other events right now is truly amazing!

What's next Putin is really transgender?

laughing my ass off.....that reminds me of Joan Rivers calling Michelle O a hermaphrodite....lol

North Korea capital 'under lockdown' amid rumours of threat to Kim Jong-un

I thought this would have happened a lot sooner. Kim Jong Un probably recognized this from the beginning which may have contributed to his recluse nature. Regardless of what his officials think of him, there are actually a lot of people that adore him, worship him. The brainwashed have lost touch with the outside world.

Another suggestion is that a purge has taken place in Pyongyang, although less violent than the very public arrest and subsequent execution of Jang Song-thaek, Mr Kim's uncle and mentor, in December.

I hope this is all for a long overdue advancement in North Korea's HR and FR departments.

Neighbouring countries will now be closely watching ceremonies on October 10 to mark the founding of the Korean Worker's Party. Should Mr Kim be unable to attend another red-letter day on the nation's calendar, then rumors about his well-being will inevitably start once again

This won't be good news for anyone - if it is a coup and it fails there'll be massacres of the plotters. If it succeeds there'll b massacres of regime loyalists, maybe more coups as the new regime "shakes itself out", maybe even war if someone pushes the wrong button or thinks they might get some advantage out of it.

No - there is nothing good about this

We were just talking about this in another thread. We can only hope and pray this is the case, as NK will finally have a chance to be normal again, hopefully whoever picks up the pieces of government they do so with good intentions.

If they unite with the south Korea in ten years time is going to be a really magnificent country. Also, they more than likely will rise to the top ranks of the international community. Maybe not quite super power status, but very close.

I wonder if they will go back to a regular calendar instead of counting days on Kim family history?

originally posted by: AnteBellum
a reply to: daaskapital

It's good news for a western standpoint but I can't help feel the timing of this along with other events right now is truly amazing!

What's next Putin is really transgender?

No but Michelle Obama is...

Or maybe North Korea is the only smart ones on this entire earth and they are restricting people coming and going. I mean there is a disease spreading by planes right now....right? Lol reply to: boncho

a reply to: daaskapital

L'il Kim is going down.

lolz

Couldn't happen to a nicer despot.

a reply to: Aloysius the Gaul

I agree. I've maintained that any outcome of a coup would likely be disastrous for the people of North Korea. Whether they fall under a worse dictatorship of even democracy, the people will struggle to cope.

People in the west think that Kim Jong-Un is an evil dictator who is worshiped by all and the leader of everything. The truth is that the living standards of North Korea were raising under Kim Jong-Un. The truth is that Kim Jong-Un had to purge others to maintain his position and to even get anywhere in changes he wanted to make. It will be interesting to see where this alleged coup is coming from and what ideologies lie behind it. I suspect the 'old guard' as the most likely candidates, but i'm not sure of any potential motives they would have in conducting a coup. Whether it would be for the preservation of the old ways, or to sell out and bring North Korea closer to globalisation, the results will not be good for the people. They will either be subject to a worse totalitarian state, or subject to reeducation and an enormous cultural shock.

originally posted by: safetymeeting
Or maybe North Korea is the only smart ones on this entire earth and they are restricting people coming and going. I mean there is a disease spreading by planes right now....right? Lol reply to: boncho

Um...no...they traveled to S Korea for the Asian games yesterday... this is NOT the case. And last I checked there was no travel ban to from N Korea due to ebola.

a reply to: boncho

I too, hope that something good comes of this. Although i don't have much hope to be honest with you.

It sounds harsh, but perhaps it would have been better for the people if Kim Jong-Un had slowly introduced the populace to the outside world. North Korea was heading that way under Kim Jong-Un anyway, and any sudden coup such as this alleged one would likely throw things into chaos.

I don't know. All we can do is hope that things go well for the people in the North.

a reply to: daaskapital

You remember about a month ago media reports about the Chinese had sent more military to their border with NK?
Some more afoot here than broken ankles from eating too much Swiss cheese. (Pun intended.)

If they went there yesterday why does the article say no traffic in or out? a reply to: thesmokingman

originally posted by: Aliensun
a reply to: daaskapital

You remember about a month ago media reports about the Chinese had sent more military to their border with NK?
Some more afoot here than broken ankles from eating too much Swiss cheese. (Pun intended.)

A story with more holes than Swiss ........

a reply to: safetymeeting

The individuals who traveled to South Korea were high ranking officials. Indeed, the second and third most influential men in North Korea were reported to have traveled to the South for unexpected talks.

If a coup has really taken place, it would be logical to assume that the aforementioned officials and their allied factions have been behind it, and would be able to travel while others cannot.

That's my personal opinion, of course.

originally posted by: safetymeeting
Or maybe North Korea is the only smart ones on this entire earth and they are restricting people coming and going. I mean there is a disease spreading by planes right now....right? Lol reply to: boncho

Ah yes, the ol' totalitarian control of the people so harsh that the world has turned the country into a no mans land for anyone not born there. Grand exile from everyone with borders so tight you couldn't send a fox across, simply to protect from disease decades later.

Smart cookie Kim Ill was.

If the news is correct I would guess that the planning for this coup started when little Kim did away with his Uncle . If we remember, when Kim first took over as the new leader it was really his Aunt and Uncle that would hold the true power until he was older, or done away with.

Very interesting...

I don't think it's a coup at all...

I think realistically, China has been following the path of the USA in many ways. One of the USA's best tricks is to (or used to be) paint it's self as a world hero, we build up military might by invading nations which are scary to most of the world or at least a part of this world, in this manner we have seasoned troops, test our weapons, acquire wealth etc etc...

China, before it could ever actually be a "superpower" would need to fight a few wars, you don't send untested men and theories and equipment against the USA or Russia or even India or lol Indonesia...

The Chinese I think were looking to utilize North Korea, they don't have squat against China, nothing really faces those borders that can overwhelm them with numbers etc, etc... and with the right "excuse" they'd be a Hero nation for doing it and it would be very intimidating in the region for a China who wishes the East Asian nations to slide off the US and onto the Chinese protectorate/vassal state agenda...

So NK was target no 1 for a rising China

And lil Kim wasn't going to have that on his watch, he was educated in the West, enjoys modern things and probably would like to be a normal nation, he's.... really young after all

I think, he's the Jong who is going to step down and reunite the Koreas, having half a brain in his head and weighing opening up his society vs loosing it to China the choice would be clear, his people would celebrate him as a hero instead of dying, the economy would flourish and he gets to B slap China for stepping on his feet by giving them exactly what they never would want, a unified Korea not under their control with btw... Nukes and combined a pretty insane military...

If you care about the future of the Korean people, this is what you would do... Japan, Russia and China around you? You reunite, keep your warheads and walk away a superpower yourself...

If I'm right, in the end this kid could be remembered as a hero, Children are NOT their parents after all...

a reply to: criticalhit

Possibly but NK is so messed up I find it hard to believe that any country wants to deal with putting that place back together.

I am of the opinion that the ideal situation would be for NK to make their own changes to bring them to a point where they could join the rest of the world . Now that's not to say that China may not be pulling some strings to cause political change within NK .