South Korean intelligence sources believe the reason why Kim Jong-un disappeared from public view for an extended amount of time was due to a cyst on his ankle that needed to be removed.
Legislators were told during a closed-door meeting that a foreign doctor was brought in to remove the painful growth, The Associated Press reported Tuesday.
Lim Dae-seong, an aide to ruling party lawmaker Lee Cheol-woo, said Mr. Kim suffers from tarsal tunnel syndrome, AP reported. The National Intelligence Service said that Mr. Kim’s cyst could recur because of his weight problems and smoking habit.
The North Korean leader appeared in public on Oct. 14 for the first time since Sept. 3. During his absence, it was speculated that he may have been suffering from gout.
• Douglas Ernst can be reached at dernst@washingtontimes.com.
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