National Intelligence Service Report to the National Assembly Foreign Media ‘Separation of Successor to New Drug’ Korean Media ‘Overlapping’ Intelligence Reports Psychological Warfare

National Intelligence Service Report to the National Assembly Foreign Media ‘Separation of Successor to New Drug’ Korean Media ‘Overlapping’ Intelligence Reports Psychological Warfare

While foreign media reported the National Intelligence Service’s report on North Korea’s situation to the National Assembly as ‘separation of successor to new drug,’ Korean media engaged in psychological warfare by ‘overlapping’ two different intelligence reports.
The AP reported on the 29th that “Representatives Lee Seong-gwon and Park Seon-won stated that the National Intelligence Service had obtained intelligence that North Korean officials were attempting to obtain new drugs overseas for Kim Jong-un’s suspected high blood pressure and diabetes.”
The AP continued by reporting that “the National Intelligence Service maintained its assessment in a Monday briefing that the revelation of the name of Kim Joo-ae, Kim Jong-un’s daughter in her early teens, may be strengthening her position as her father’s clear successor. However, the National Intelligence Service said that since she has not been officially designated as her father’s successor, it cannot rule out the possibility that she could be replaced by one of her siblings.” ABC reported the AP article with the headline, “North Korea officials are looking for drugs to treat Kim Jong Un’s obesity-related health problems, Seoul says,” and the subheading, “South Korean intelligence says North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has gained weight again and is suffering from obesity-related health problems, including high blood pressure and diabetes.”
Reuters reported that “the National Intelligence Service (NIS) in Seoul told lawmakers that there was no indication that North Korea had developed such an engine and that it likely came from Russia,” and that “Lee Seong-geun, a member of the National Assembly Intelligence Committee, told reporters after receiving a briefing from the NIS that “the engine appeared to have used liquid oxygen and kerosene for the first time, suggesting that it may have received Russian support.”
Reuters continued, “Lee also quoted the NIS as saying that Kim Jong Un’s daughter Ju Ae is being trained to become the next leader. North Korean state media has reported on her public activities, but not on her political future,” and did not report on the NIS and lawmakers’ announcement that “Kim Jong Un was seeking drugs amid health concerns.”
The Chosun Ilbo reported under the title <NIS: “Kim Jong-un weighs 140kg… Ordered to find other medication for high blood pressure and diabetes”> that <The National Intelligence Service announced on the 29th that North Korean State Affairs Commission Chairman Kim Jong-un weighs 140kg and is extremely obese, putting him at high risk for heart disease. The NIS also said that it has detected North Korea ordering it to find other medications for Kim Jong-un’s high blood pressure and diabetes, rather than the medications he is currently using. North Korea is also hinting that Kim Joo-ae, Kim Jong-un’s daughter, is currently undergoing successor training> as a report under ‘Trends’.
The Chosun Ilbo then reported that <The NIS predicted that the North Korean successor structure was solidifying to a considerable extent, saying that “Judging from the fact that North Korea described Kim Joo-ae as a ‘guide’ that is only used for successors or leaders,” but “Since the final successor has not yet been decided, the possibility of change cannot be ruled out.”> ‘Chosun Biz’ reported under the title <NIS “Kim Jong-un weighs 140kg and is extremely obese… Kim Joo-ae is taking lessons as his successor”> that <The National Intelligence Service announced on the 29th that North Korean State Affairs Commission Chairman Kim Jong-un weighs 140kg and is extremely obese, putting him at high risk for heart disease. North Korea also appears to be considering Kim Jong-un’s daughter Kim Joo-ae as a strong successor and is taking lessons as a successor>.

‘JoongAng Ilbo’ reported under the title <Is Kim Jong-un’s extremely obese medication not working? NIS “North Korea looking for new medicine overseas”> that <Amidst ongoing rumors about North Korean State Affairs Commission Chairman Kim Jong-un’s health, the NIS has detected that North Korea is seeking new medicine for Chairman Kim overseas. The NIS has determined that North Korea is also taking lessons as a successor, considering Chairman Kim’s daughter Kim Joo-ae as a strong successor>.

The Dong-A Ilbo reported under the title <NIS: “North Korea is currently conducting training for Kim Joo-ae as a successor”> that <On the 29th, the National Intelligence Service stated that “North Korea is currently conducting training for Kim Joo-ae, the daughter of North Korean State Affairs Commission Chairman Kim Jong-un, as a strong successor.”> and <In addition, it reported that “Judging from the fact that the expression ‘guidance’, which is only used for successors or leaders, is being used, it is expected that the successor structure is solidifying to a considerable extent.” It also reported that “Based on the fact that there is still a possibility that another sibling may step forward and that the final successor has not been decided, the possibility of a change has not been ruled out.”> KBS reported that <NIS: “No damage to the ROK-US alliance due to the indictment of Soo Mi Terry… <Kim Joo-ae, in training for successor> <In today's current affairs report, the National Intelligence Service stated, "North Korea is currently hinting at Kim Joo-ae as a strong successor and is conducting training for a successor."> <The National Intelligence Service added, "Kim Jong-un appears to be looking for medication other than the medication he is currently taking," and "There are speculations that there may be some situations that are difficult to treat with just existing medication."> TV Chosun reported under the titles <NIS "North Korea's Kim Joo-ae's Successor Training... Kim Jong-un is at high risk of obesity">,
'Hankook Ilbo' reported under the titles <NIS "140kg Kim Jong-un looking for new overseas medicine... daughter Joo-ae is taking successor training">,
'Newsis' reported under the titles <NIS "North Korea's Kim Joo-ae's Successor Training... Kim Jong-un is at high risk of heart disease, looking for new medicine">,
YTN reported under the titles <NIS "Kim Joo-ae's Successor Training... Kim Jong-un is at high risk of obesity">,
'Money Today' reported under the titles <NIS "140kg Kim Jong-un, caught looking for new medicine... successor is Kim Joo-ae">.

Voice of America (VOA) reported on the 29th that <North Korea is hinting at Chairman Kim Jong-un's daughter Kim Ju-ae as a strong successor and is conducting successor training>, and <The NIS reported on major current issues in North Korea, including Chairman Kim's health, succession structure, the status of the sewage balloon provocation, and missile launch trends, at a plenary session of the Intelligence Committee held at the National Assembly in Seoul that afternoon>. VOA continued, <. The NIS estimated in its current affairs report that Chairman Kim's health was "super-obese, weighing 140 kg and with a body mass index in the mid-40s, far exceeding the normal standard of 25">, and <The NIS also concluded that "it (obesity) is likely due to stress, cigarettes, and alcohol. He explained, “There are some situations where it is difficult to treat with existing drugs alone,” and added, “This means that a trend of looking for drugs other than existing drugs has been detected.”

VOA analyzed in the subtitle, “Changes in the contents of sewage balloons,” that <“The North is expected to change its method of operation, such as focusing on dropping sewage balloons on crowded areas or major supplementary facilities, or enclosing white powder disguised as hazardous materials, and to use other provocative means, such as creating tension near the NLL (Northern Limit Line) and striking loudspeakers.”>

 

Reuters reported under the headline, “N. Korea’s satellite launch engine failure points to Russian role, say South Korean lawmakers,” that “the National Intelligence Service told lawmakers that there was no sign that North Korea had developed such an engine and that it likely came from Russia,” and that “after receiving a briefing from the NIS, Intelligence Committee Rep. Lee Seong-geun told reporters, “Given that the engine appeared to have used liquid oxygen and kerosene for the first time, there is a possibility that it received support from Russia.” This was an announcement of direct judgment by lawmakers.

 

The Yomiuri Shimbun reported with the headline, “Kim Jong-un’s daughter Ju-ae “receiving succession education”... Kim Jong-un weighs about 140 kg, putting him at “high risk of heart disease”,” that “The National Intelligence Service reported to the National Assembly on the 29th that the daughter of North Korea’s Workers’ Party of Korea Secretary-General Kim Jong-un is “receiving succession education.” The attending National Assembly members revealed this to reporters,” and that “There are also trends suggesting that North Korean authorities are looking for a new drug for Kim Jong-un overseas, and the National Intelligence Service speculates that “there may be symptoms that cannot be cured with current drugs alone.”