South Korean intelligence agency: Kim Jong-un is extremely obese and has a high risk of cardiovascular disease

South Korea's National Intelligence Service said today that according to the latest assessment, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un weighs more than 140 kilograms and is "extremely obese" and has a high risk of cardiovascular disease. However, his ability to move has not been affected and his health condition is normal.

Agence France-Presse reported that Kim Jong-un usually lives in seclusion, is a heavy smoker and is obese. The international community is very concerned about his health, because if he dies suddenly, it may affect the succession and political stability of North Korea, a nuclear-armed country.

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Youn Kun-young, a member of South Korea's National Assembly, quoted the National Intelligence Service as saying that Kim Jong-un's "health condition is classified as extremely obese, weighing more than 140 kilograms."

Yin Jianyong added that although Kim Jong-un "is at a high risk of cardiovascular disease," his mobility has not been affected and he can walk quickly upstairs without any problem.

"(Kim Jong-un) is under close monitoring by a dedicated medical team and is currently assessed to have no health problems."

The outside world once raised doubts about Kim Jong-un's health in 2020. At that time, he absented himself from the commemoration of his late grandfather's birthday and disappeared from public view for about 20 days, triggering rumors that he might be seriously ill and need surgery.

Kim Jong-un's father, Kim Jong-il, and grandfather, Kim Il-sung, were both obese and heavy smokers. Both died of heart disease.

North Korea has been hit with multiple sanctions over its weapons programmes, its economy is stagnant under state control and there are chronic food shortages.

Elizabeth Salmon, the United Nations Human Rights Commissioner for North Korea, said in February this year that food shortages are North Korea’s main humanitarian crisis.

During the 2019 North Korea-U.S. summit, Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi executive chef Paul Smart, who worked with Kim Jong-un's personal chef, said at the time that the North Korean leader favored tender meats and haute cuisine.

Smart said that according to two of Kim Jong-un's chefs, both named Kim, the North Korean leader is very particular about his taste and spends a lot of money.

"He likes caviar, lobster, very high-end ingredients, including foie gras. He really likes to enjoy delicious food." (Compiler: Qu Xiangping) 1151001