FIVE spy planes have reportedly been scrambled by the US to sweep North Korea amid ongoing rumours about the health of Kim Jong-un.
Military sources claimed the aircraft were sent up specifically to gather info on Kim around Pyongyang and the seaside resort of Wonsan.
South Korean officials confirmed the US sent up five reconnaissance aircraft, reports the Chosun Ilbo.
It is said three RC-12s, one E-8C Joint STARS and one EO-5C Crazy Hawk were deployed in the hunt for Kim.
The RC-12s and E-8C are reportedly carrying electronic eavesdropping equipment to gather intel from North Korean communications.
The EO-5C carries equipment to track the movement of troops and weapons – looking out for any unusual activity that may indicate Kim’s demise.
Seoul added it also deployed an recon plane but declined to confirm which type.
North Korea’s leader is subject to mounting speculation as he has not been seen in public since April 11 – missing a key celebration on April 15.
Various reports claimed Kim is either dead or gravely ill – with suggestions that he recently underwent heart surgery, and the operation may have been botched.
South Korea’s minister for North Korean affairs Kim Yeon-chul however said today that its likely Kim is in hiding due to the coronavirus.
It had previously been reported that the North Korean leader may have fled to his villa in Wonsan amid fears of Covid-19.
He said Kim had been missing for periods of up to 20 days at least twice this year already during the pandemic.
Satellite photos show Kim’s armoured private train at the luxurious resort as the regime still insists it has zero coronavirus cases.
The minister added: “Many anniversary events including celebrations and a banquet had been cancelled because of coronavirus concerns.”
North Korea is infamously secretive so it is difficult for intelligence agencies to verify information which may be leaking from its borders.
Misinformation is spreading, with a doctored photo of Kim in a glass coffin going viral as reports emerged he may be dead.
And a mysterious video has been circulated within North Korea of a doctored news report claiming Kim has died, and his sister Kim Yo-jong is the new supreme leader.
Kim’s police have set up a task force to track the video which they fear will cause “social issues” and upset the iron grip they have on information fed to citizens.
North Korean state media yesterday reported Kim had sent a letter to builders and also communicated with the president of South Africa, but no new pictures were released.
Speaking on Monday, US President Donald Trump said: “I can’t tell you, exactly — yes, I do have a very good idea, but I can’t talk about it now. I just wish him well.
“I hope he’s fine. I do know how he’s doing, relatively speaking. We will see. You will probably be hearing in the not-too-distant future.”
Chinese journalist Shijian Xingzou said a “very solid source” told her the North Korean leader had died.
She has 15 million followers on Chinese social media site Weibo, and she is also the niece of one of the the country’s foreign ministers.
Separately, a Japanese media outlet claimed Kim was in a “vegetative state” after undergoing heart surgery.
China has reportedly sent in a team of doctors or North Korea, while other reports speculate he was injured in a missile test.
