North Korean officials are trying to get new medications abroad for their country’s leader Kim Jong-un, it has been claimed.
South Korea’s main spy agency, the National Intelligence Service (NIS), discussed Kim’s weight with lawmakers from its country during a closed-door briefing.
The leader of the hermit country is estimated to have returned to weighing 308 pounds – as he used to before his dramatic weight loss three years ago, which was likely due to a change of diet, one of the attendees at the meeting claimed.
South Korean lawmaker Lee Seong Kweun went on to allege the NIS believes the North Korean leader, who is known to be a heavy drinker and smoker, is now in a high-risk group for heart disease.
The NIS reportedly added Kim has had known symptoms of high blood pressure and diabetes since his early 30s. The agency has now reportedly obtained intelligence that North Korean officials are scrambling to get new medications for his suspected health issues.
North Korea is a highly isolated nation and one of the most secretive in the world, making it extremely difficult to pinpoint Kim’s exact health state and conditions.
Even Kim’s weight can only be determined through the accounts of observers and state footage, with no official confirmation.
Similarly, it is impossible to confirm his age, as the secretive state never actually revealed Kim’s birthday – although he is believed to have turned 40 this year.
Kim is believed to be about 5’7” tall and comes from a family with a history of heart problems. Both his grandfather Kim Il Sung and father Kim Jong-il are believed to have died of heart issues.
The NIS’ attention on Kim’s possible health state comes as Pyongyang is ramping up its military rhetoric against the US and South Korea and is strengthening its links with Russia.
While the country is modernising and growing its nuclear weapons arsenal, Kim hasn’t formally appointed a successor.
Analysts believe the public appearances Kim has made with his preteen daughter Kim Ju-ae may be signalling he is bolstering her status as heir apparent – but the NIS hasn’t ruled out she may eventually be replaced as her father’s successor by one of her siblings.