National security adviser Robert O'Brien confirmed today that the Trump administration is 'keeping a close eye' on reports regarding North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's health
early Tuesday that the U.S. is monitoring intelligence suggesting Kim is in "grave danger" following a surgery, though the severity of the concerns about his health "is hard to assess."the Associated Press, and South Korea's presidential office said Kim appeared to be handling state affairs as usual.
Kim, who is in his mid-30s, presided over a government meeting on April 11, according to the North's official Korean Central News Agency. But he was noticeably absent from the birthday celebration of his late grandfather, state founder Kim Il Sung, on April 15 — North Korea's most important holiday. Addressing the speculation surrounding Kim's health, O'Brien said Americans "should know that we have a great intelligence community," invoking senior administration officials including President Donald Trump, Vice President Mike Pence, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Defense Secretary Mark Esper and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark Milley.
"We've got a lot of watchmen on the towers during this coronavirus crisis making sure that America is safe, whether it's from the virus or from adversaries abroad," O'Brien said. "So we're keeping a close eye on developments in North Korea, as we are in other parts of the world."
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