FACT CHECK: Kim Jong-un didn’t comment on impeachment bid vs Sara Duterte

Claim: North Korean leader Kim Jong-un opposes the potential impeachment of Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte.

Rating: FALSE

Why we fact-checked this: The TikTok video containing the claim has 432,700 views, 23,300 likes, 627 shares, and 2,523 comments as of writing.

The text in the video states, “North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un is not in favor of impeachment against Sara Duterte.”

The facts: There are no reports from credible media outlets, government agencies, or political analysts indicating that Kim has made any statement opposing the impeachment bids against Duterte.

The TikTok post merely shows a photo of Kim with the superimposed text but provides no evidence for its claim.

North Korea’s stance: The North Korean government tightly controls all media in the country, with the Korean Central News Agency acting as its official mouthpiece to filter and present information that aligns with its political agenda. Under Kim’s totalitarian rule, North Korea’s engagement in foreign affairs has been largely limited to situations where its own security or strategic interests are directly affected.

For instance, North Korea spoke out against then-US President Donald Trump in 2017 because his rhetoric threatened the security of the highly isolationist country.

Impeachment complaints: The TikTok video circulated amid the controversy surrounding Duterte, who is facing questions over her alleged misuse of public funds. She currently faces two impeachment complaints, with a third expected to be filed soon.

The first complaint, filed on December 2 with 16 complainants, and the second, filed on December 4 by a coalition of 74 activists, both accuse her of betrayal of public trust. A religious group is set to file a third complaint.

Rappler has previously fact-checked posts misrepresenting rallies and other public events as shows of support for Duterte amid the impeachment raps:

• FACT CHECK: Video shows 2016 protest in South Korea, not pro-Duterte INC rally
• FACT CHECK: Impeachment bid vs VP Sara Duterte remains active
• FACT CHECK: Videos show 2023 jeepney phaseout protests, not pro-Duterte rally
• FACT CHECK: ‘Duterte!’ chants fabricated in video of fitness event in Dubai 

– Marjuice Destinado/Rappler.com

Marjuice Destinado is a Rappler intern. She is a third-year political science student at Cebu Normal University (CNU), serving as feature editor of Ang Suga, CNU’s official student publication.