North Korea's Kim Jong-un sends 'verbal message' to China's Xi Jinping, but doubts persist

rth Korean leader Kim Jong-un has sent a verbal mess to Chinese President Xi Jinping, praising Beijing on its success in stopping Covid-19 spread, South Korea's Yonhap News ncy reported on Thursday.

'and thus a final victory...'

In a mess, Kim "congratulated him (Jinping), highly appreciating that he is seizing a chance of victory in war against unprecedented epidemic," according to Korean Central News ncy. "Kim Jong Un wished Xi Jinping good health, expressing a conviction that Chinese party and people would cement successes made so far and steadily expand m and thus win a final victory under wise guidance of Xi Jinping," it added.

ncy did t clarify how mess has been delivered to Chinese president. This is a second time Kim has sent a mess to Xi with regard to Coronavirus this year. In January, he conveyed his support and unspecified aid for Beijing's fight against virus.

Last week, Kim Jong-un made his 'first public appearance' after 20 days of absence. report of Kim's illness started doing rounds following his absence at Kumsusan Palace of Sun in Pyongyang on birthday of late state founder and his grandfar, Kim Il-sung. 

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Kim Jong Un’s absence has led to a flurry of speculations about his health and whereabouts and w internet users have ‘serious doubts’ wher he has been using a body double at his recent public engments. Kim recently attended an event at a fertilizer factory which was also first report of his appearing in public since April 11. His ‘mysterious’ missing from that public amid coronavirus pandemic and his rumoured heart surgery has led to a number of conspiracy ories.

READ | Kim Jong-un's appearance after mysterious 20-day absence fuels body-double speculation

Meanwhile, a South Korean spy ncy reportedly said that supreme leader of rth Korea did t receive heart surgery when he disappeared from state media for three weeks. According to international media reports, members of South Korea’s parliamentary intelligence committee after meeting with National Intelligence Service (NIS) said that reports were ‘groundless’.

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While speaking to an international media outlet, committee member Kim Byung-kee said that NIS assess that at least Kim Jong Un did t get any heart-related procedure or surgery. Byung-kee added that Kim was rmally performing his duties when he was out of public eye.

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(With ncy inputs)