A South Korean diplomat has claimed Kim Jong-un is in a coma and his sister is set to take charge of North Korea.
Chang Song-min, an ex-aide to late-South Korean president Kim Dae-jung, claimed North Korea is hiding the truth about its leader's deteriorating health and that he understands the dictator is in a comatose state.
Speaking with local media, Chang Song-min said: "I assess him to be in a coma, but his life has not ended."
He said Kim's sister, Kim Yo-jong, is now ready to take over as the hermit state's new supreme leader.
"A complete succession structure has not been formed, so Kim Yo-jong is being brought to the fore as the vacuum cannot be maintained for a prolonged period."