North Korea releases 'proof of life' photos of Kim Jong Un inspecting a pink shoe after claims he died

North Korea released what it described as proof-of-life photographs of Kim Jong Un examining a pink shoe, following claims the leader had died.

US-based Chinese dissident Wanjun Xie claimed on X on Sunday that Kim, 42, suffered a severe cerebral haemorrhage, slipped into a coma and died in a Beijing hospital. Xie also alleged China had sent 9,000 troops to Pyongyang, but offered no verifiable evidence. State news agency KCNA says the photos, showing Kim with his daughter Kim Ju Ae, were taken on Monday. That date has not been independently verified.

Sister Kim Yo Jong warned of a 'grave situation' on the South Korean border.

Kim reportedly chose daughter Ju Ae as his successor over his sister last year.

South Korea's spy agency, in September, described him as 'extremely obese' and flagged him as a heart disease risk.