North Korean Defector Apologizes After Saying He’s ‘99 Percent’ Sure Kim Jong Un Died

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un attends a wreath laying ceremony at a navy memorial in Vladivostok, Russia, on April 26, 2019. Shamil Zhumatov/File Photo via Reuters

Update: A North Korean legislator and defector apologized on May 4 for his comments after Kim Jong Un re-emerged after a weekslong absence.

“I am aware that one of the reasons why many of you voted for me as a lawmaker is with the expectations of an accurate analysis and projections on North Korean issues,” Ji Seong-ho said in a statement to news outlets. “I feel the blame and heavy responsibility.“