South Korean currency tumbles as unconfirmed report indicates that North Korea’s Kim Jong Un is seriously ill

CNBC ^ | April 20, 2020 | Eustance Huang

[be-baw]

KEY POINTS

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 0239 GMT Tuesday, the Korean won fell 1.54% to trade at 1,239.35 per dollar.

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.”

[be-baw]

Note that CNBC is referencing CNN as its source for the "intelligence.

[Pelham]

I'm waiting for Dennis Rodman to confirm this.

[BenLurkin]

[Captain Compassion]

Another Coronavirus victim.

[BradyLS]

“Doctor-Colonel, have you ever considred the idea of being the Surgeon-General?”

[nickcarraway]

Why would that cause South Korea’s currency to tumble? I could imagine it might cause it to go up.

[Lurkina.n.Learnin]

Katy Tur tweeted he is brain dead but then deleted it.

[Lurker]

“Why would that cause South Korea’s currency to tumble? “

War.

L

[lee martell]

She put the Bee in the Bonnet!

[volunbeer]

That would be convenient for China.... draw us into a war on the Korean peninsula after unleashing a pandemic that crippled our economy.

Sigh.

[Rebelbase]

"Bitch set me up!"

[DiogenesLamp]

Why would that cause South Korea’s currency to tumble? I could imagine it might cause it to go up.

Destabilizing the regime. Kim is a known quantity. There are some worse belligerent kooks in that menagerie. They might literally start a war if Kim dies.

[P.O.E.]

Trump mentioned today he is in negotiations with South Korea re: paying towards the US military protecting them. They offered a billion and he rejected it - not nearly enough.

[cba123]

I saw (briefly) a report on DLive, on the channel associated with Texas News Channel, a rumor that Kim was according to a couple US sources, infected with Covid-19 by a Chinese doctor during his surgery.

But then it came down.

So maybe not... :)

[Mr Ramsbotham]

Another Coronavirus victim.

It's an ill wind indeed that blows no good.

[Ouchthatonehurt]

Gift from China.

[GOPJ]

BREAKING: Multiple US officials tell @OANN that Kim Jong Un caught COVID19 from a Chinese doctor flown in to help with his heart valve surgery. He appears to be in stable condition for now.

from a different FR thread...

[Getready]

Dont stock markets drop during times of great uncertainty?
If that guy dies, who knows who takes his place?
Maybe the ones who push him to his bellicose attitude?
S. Koreans might know who is closest to assuming the role...so start hedging their investment in the near future.

[lee martell]

Ancient Chinese secret!

[Mr. N. Wolfe]

“Katy Tur tweeted he is brain dead but then deleted it.”

Seems pretty irresponsible, if true.