North Korean leader Kim Jong Un weighs more than 140 kilograms and is considered to have severe obesity, according to the latest assessment by South Korea’s intelligence service.
The information was made public by South Korean lawmaker Youn Kun-young, who said Kim is considered to be in a high-risk group for cardiovascular disease.
However, according to Youn, the North Korean leader currently shows no apparent difficulties with physical activity and is able to climb stairs without problems.
“He is assessed to have no obvious health problems at the moment, as his medical team is continuously and closely monitoring him,” Youn said.
Kim Jong Un, who is also known to be a smoker, has been the subject of health speculation for years. In 2020, his absence from public life for around 20 days fueled reports about possible health problems.
His father, Kim Jong Il, and grandfather, Kim Il Sung, were also smokers and overweight. Both died of heart attacks.
Meanwhile, attention surrounding the North Korean leader’s health is also linked to his importance to the country’s political stability and the question of succession in the event of an unexpected situation.
North Korea has faced international sanctions, economic difficulties and food shortages for years. In contrast, Kim Jong Un is reportedly known to favor luxury foods, including caviar, lobster and foie gras.
