Kim Jong-un weighs 140 kg and has high cardiac risk

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has been classified as "extremely obese" and would be weighing more than 140 kilograms, according to a recent assessment by South Korea's intelligence agency released on Wednesday. The information reignites the debate on the health of the dictator and the possible impacts on the stability of the Asian country.

According to the report, Kim is considered to be at “high risk of cardiovascular disease”, but has no difficulties in carrying out physical activities, such as climbing stairs. "The assessment is that there are no signs of health problems, given that he is closely monitored by his private medical staff," said Youn, a representative of South Korean intelligence.

Family history weighs against the leader

Kim's father, Kim Jong Il, and grandfather, Kim Il Sung, were also obese and smokers. They both died of heart attacks. This family history raises concerns about the current leader’s health, especially in the face of the North Korean regime’s lack of transparency on the issue.

Kim’s health is closely monitored by other countries because a sudden death could create uncertainty about the succession and stability of North Korea, which has nuclear weapons. The absence of a clearly designated heir makes the scenario even more sensitive.

International speculation and disappearance in 2020

Kim's health came under international speculation in 2020, when he did not attend a ceremony commemorating the birthday of his grandfather, Kim Il Sung. The North Korean leader has been out of the public sphere for 20 days, fueling rumors that he would be seriously ill after undergoing surgery.

At the time, the international media raised hypotheses about cardiac procedures or postoperative complications, but the North Korean government never officially confirmed any health problems. The episode highlighted the difficulty of obtaining reliable information about Kim's physical condition.

Luxury eating habits and internal contradictions

Paul Smart, chef at the Metropole hotel in Hanoi, worked with Kim’s personal cooks during the North Korean leader’s summit meeting with then-Estados Unidos president Donald Trump in 2019 in Vietnam. According to him, Kim had a preference for poorly processed meat and luxury foods. “He likes caviar, lobster, very luxurious products like foie gras,” he said.

Meanwhile, North Korea faces international sanctions because of its arms programs, and the population suffers from severe food shortages. The contrast between the leader’s diet and the reality of the North Korean people is often cited by analysts as a portrait of the regime’s inequalities.

Force and public routine displays

Despite health concerns, Kim Jong-un continues to appear at public events, often in demonstrations of strength. On one occasion, the leader watched soldiers break bricks with their heads and hammer the abdomen, scenes typical of state propaganda.

Kim was recently photographed during a farewell ceremony by the Russian president, Vladimir Putin, at Pyongyang airport on June 19, 2024. The image, recorded by the Sputnik agency, shows the apparently active leader, but does not remove doubts about his long-term physical condition.

What to expect from now on

For now, the South Korean intelligence assessment indicates that Kim does not face immediate health problems, but the cardiovascular risk remains high. The continuity of their public routine and the absence of clear signs of weakness suggest stability in the short term.

However, the lack of transparency and family history keep the issue under international surveillance. Any sudden change in the leader’s health could have significant geopolitical repercussions, especially in relation to North Korea’s nuclear program.

For more news on North Korea and other international affairs, continue to follow the Boca no Trombone Portal.

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