The US is monitoring intelligence that North Korea's leader, Kim Jong Un, is in grave danger after a surgery, according to a US official with direct knowledge.
Kim recently missed the celebration of his grandfather's birthday on April 15, which raised speculation about his well-being. He had been seen four days before that at a government meeting.
CNN has reached out to the CIA, National Security Council and the State Department for comment. CNN has also sought comment from the South Koreans.
Gathering intelligence out of North Korea is notoriously difficult -- one of the most challenging targets for US intelligence.
North Korea tightly controls any information surrounding its leader, who is treated almost like a deity within the country. His absences from official state media often spark speculation and rumors about his health.
North Korea has no free press and is often a black hole when it comes to the country's leadership. Analysts are heavily reliant on scanning state media dispatches and watching propaganda videos for any semblance of a clue.
Kim last appeared in North Korean state media on April 11. April 15 -- North Korea's most important holiday, the anniversary of the birth of the country's founding father, Kim Il Sung -- came and went without any official mention of Kim Jong Un's movements.
This is quite concerning. If Kim was to die and one of his Generals takes power it could be an issue. A destabilized state with nuclear weapons in the wild for the taking could result in disaster. I don’t hold Kim in a particularly good light but I realize the negative consequences his death could have. It is unknown who his successor is.
