“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.“
He added: “Whatever the reasons, I apologize to everyone.“
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A North Korean defector who became a legislator in South Korea claimed he is “99 percent” sure that Kim Jong Un is dead, although he didn’t reveal where he obtained that information.
Ji Seong-ho, who earned a proportional representation seat on April 15, said he is sure of Kim’s death, adding that Pyongyang might make an announcement later in the week.
“It is not 100 percent certain, but I can say the possibility is 99 percent” Ji added. “North Korea is believed to be grappling with a complicated succession issue,” he said.
Ji didn’t reveal the source for his information, and his claim can’t be verified independently. North Korea, amid swirling rumors about the despot’s health, has not issued any public statements about Kim, who has not been seen in public for several weeks and missed founder Kim Il Sung’s birthday celebration.
In the interview, Ji speculated that Kim’s sister, Kim Yo Jong, will likely succeed him as ruler of the country, possibly becoming the first female ruler of the isolated, communist nation.
Over the weekend, South Korean officials said Kim is alive and in charge of the country.
Kim, 36, has been staying in the Wonsan area since April 13, Moon said at the time, adding that “no suspicious movements have so far been detected.”
Moon was responding to several Asian news outlets’ claims that Kim is either in a “vegetative state” or dead.
Reports had said that Kim underwent surgery on April 12.