'Missing' Kim Jong-un may have fled North Korea after attempted military coup

Reports suggest that North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, who has been out of the public eye for over a month now, may have fled following an attempted military coup.

Rumours are rife that North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, who has been out of the public eye for over a month now, may have fled following an attempted military coup.

Kim, who was last seen at an event on 3 September with his wife, has not made any appearances since then.

According to the Independent, Toshimitsu Shigemura, a professor at Tokyo's Waseda University, told The Telegraph that recent events in the country, including reports of a ban on new travel passes, could point towards an attempted coup, or suggest that the authorities there have uncovered "some sort of plot against the leadership".

He said that if it was a military-backed coup, then the situation in Pyongyang would be very dangerous, adding that he had heard reports that Kim had been moved out of the capital.

Meanwhile, Kim's prolonged absence has led to another rumour that his mysterious sister, Kim Yo Jong, who was already in a powerful position as deputy director of the Workers' Party, may be ruling the country.

The leader's "no-show" has led to speculations that all may not be well in the so-called Hermit Kingdom.