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Kim Jong Un, North Korea’s leader, attends a welcoming ceremony at the Presidential Palace in Hanoi, Vietnam, on Friday, March 1, 2019.
Kham/Pool | Bloomberg | Getty Images
The Korean won weakened sharply on Tuesday against the dollar on unconfirmed reports that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is seriously ill.
As of 0225 GMT Tuesday, the Korean won fell 1.48% to trade at 1,238.60 per dollar. The South Korean markets saw sizable declines, with the Kospi down 2.15%.
The moves came after CNN reported Tuesday, citing an unnamed U.S. official with direct knowledge, that Washington is “monitoring intelligence” that Kim is in “grave danger after a surgery.”
The North Korean leader was reportedly absent during a celebration of his grandfather’s birthday on April 15, raising questions over his health. CNN reported that he had been seen four days to prior that, at a government meeting.
