Kim Jong Un's Health: 'Extremely Obese' and at High Risk, Seoul Spies Report
South Korea's intelligence agency assesses that North Korea's leader weighs over 310 pounds and faces significant cardiovascular disease risks, though he shows no current physical limitations.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is assessed to be 'extremely obese' and at high risk of cardiovascular disease due to significant weight gain, according to South Korea's spy agency. The intelligence report indicates Kim weighs over 310 pounds.
Despite concerns about his health, Kim has demonstrated no difficulty with physical activities, including climbing stairs, and shows no signs of current health issues, as he is closely monitored by a dedicated medical team, the lawmaker Youn Kun-young relayed, citing the agency.
Speculation regarding Kim's well-being has surfaced periodically. In 2020, his prolonged absence from public view for approximately 20 days fueled rumors of serious illness following surgery. His father, Kim Jong Il, and grandfather, Kim Il Sung, both suffered from obesity and were heavy smokers, ultimately dying of heart attacks.
Kim's personal tastes have also been noted, with reports describing a preference for luxury foods such as caviar, lobster, and foie gras. This indulgence comes as North Korea, a nuclear-armed state, faces international sanctions and persistent economic struggles, including food shortages.
The health of the North Korean leader is a matter of international attention due to potential succession uncertainties and stability concerns in the isolated nation. Recent assessments from South Korea's National Intelligence Service also suggest that Kim's young daughter, believed to be around 13 years old and named Kim Ju Ae, is being positioned as a potential successor, having accompanied her father to numerous public events.