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An ally of President Donald Trump and member of the Senate foreign relations committee, Senator Lindsay Graham said he believes North Korean dictator Kim Jong-Un is dead or incapacitated. The Senator speculated that the hermit kingdom would not let rumors of its leader’s death go unanswered for so long. Graham said, “Well, it’s a closed society, I don’t know anything directly. But I’d be shocked if he’s not dead or in some incapacitated state because you don’t let rumors like this go forever or go unanswered in a closed society, which is really a cult, not a country, called North Korea. So I pretty well believe he is dead or incapacitated.”

It is noteworthy that rumors of Kim Jong-Un’s death have increased since he missed the commemoration 10-days ago, of the 108^th birthday of his grandfather, North Korea founder Kim Il Sung. North Korean authorities have said nothing to counter media reports that Kim is unwell. It has prompted concerns regarding who is next in line to run a nuclear-armed country that has been ruled by the same family for seven decades. Reuters reported that China has dispatched a team to North Korea including medical experts to advise on Kim Jong Un, citing 3-people familiar with the situation. It also added fuel to the rumors.

Point to be noted that satellite imagery has shown a train likely belongs to the North Korean leader has been parked at his compound since last week. The satellite photos were released by 38 North (a website specializing in North Korea studies) don’t say anything about Kim’s potential health problems. The website added, “The train’s presence does not prove the whereabouts of the North Korean leader or indicate anything about his health, but it does lend weight to reports that Kim is staying at an elite area on the country’s eastern coast.” It is important that South Korean and US officials have repeatedly indicated there have been no unusual signs that could indicate health problems for Kim.