North Korean leader Kim Jong Un appeared in public on Monday at a major clothing and shoes exhibition in Pyongyang, according to state media. The visit came right after false online rumors claimed he had died from a brain hemorrhage.
Appearance quells online speculation
Photos released by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on Tuesday show Kim inspecting children’s shoes, women’s coats and other products.
He was joined by his daughter Kim Ju-ae and wife Ri-Sol-ju. The images depict him looking active as he spoke with officials and examined items on display.
The exhibition, called the National Garment and Footwear Exhibition-2026, featured more than 70,700 clothing items of over 30 types and more than 170,000 pairs of shoes of over 60 kinds. These came from more than 270 factories across the country including new local ones.
Focus on regional development
Kim praised the products and said they proved the success of his policy to reduce gaps between cities and rural areas. He noted that goods from newly built city and county factories now stand alongside those from central factories.
This policy, known as Regional Development 20x10, aims to build modern factories in 20 cities and counties each year for a decade. He called for better designs, items featuring national flag elements and high-quality school uniforms and bags.
Rumors spread quickly on social media
The day before the report, unverified claims spread on X (formerly Twitter). Some accounts said Kim had suffered a massive brain hemorrhage, fallen into a coma, and been taken to Beijing for treatment. The stories reached tabloids but lacked evidence. State media did not mention the rumors.
This is the latest in a series of unfounded health rumors about the North Korean leader that often circulate online. The photos and report serve as an official signal that he remains active and focused on domestic industry goals.
