North Korea's Kim Jong Un Warns Authorities About Coronavirus, Typhoon Amid Coma Rumors

North Korea leader Kim Jong Un has warned his national authorities about the threat of the coronavirus pandemic and a looming typhoon, according to state-run media outlet KCNA reported Wednesday.

Members of the Politburo of the Workers’ Party of Korea held a meeting to assess the threat from the coronavirus, which had Kim in attendance. The reported presence of Kim comes amid speculation this week that he was in a coma.

“The meeting discussed in depth the relevant issues of examining the state emergency anti-epidemic posture to cope with the world public health crisis and further intensifying the anti-epidemic work,” KCNA reported. The Politburo "seriously assessed some defects in the state emergency anti-epidemic work for checking the inroads of the malignant virus, and studied measures to overcome the defects urgently."

In July, Kim claimed the virus “could be said to have entered the country," and imposed a lockdown on the city of Kaesong after a person experienced virus symptoms.

North Korea has repeatedly denied the presence of COVID-19 on its territory.

Kim also warned Politburo members about Typhoon Bavi, which is expected to hit North Korea later this week. Kim wanted authorities to perform certain tasks in order to prevent casualties from the typhoon and hinder damage to the nation’s crops.

In recent years, North Korea has faced multiple natural disasters and severe weather events. In August 2016, Typhoon Lionrock killed at least 525 North Koreans and destroyed more than 35,000 homes.

In the 1990s, North Korea was hit by massive floods and droughts, exacerbating a famine that killed approximately one million people.

It's unclear if the latest state-media reports were intended to dispel rumors of Kim’s health, with some reports claiming that he is in a coma and has ceded power to his sister, Kim Yo Jong. State media has released photos of Kim at the meeting with Politburo members.

Kim, who is in this mid-30s, has been the leader of North Korea since 2011, after the death of his father, Kim Jong Il.