The National Intelligence Service (NIS) of South Korea has revealed that Kim Jong-un’s weight has returned to 140 kilograms, and he is currently training his daughter to be a potential successor.
On Monday, July 29, the NIS reported the latest developments in North Korea at a closed-door meeting of the National Assembly’s Intelligence Committee.
Lawmakers told South Korean media after the meeting that Kim Jong-un’s weight is estimated to have risen to around 140 kilograms.
Regarding Kim Jong-un’s health, the NIS stated that the 40-year-old leader’s weight has recently bounced back to 140 kilograms, possibly due to increased stress and his indulgence in smoking and alcohol.
Some observers say that Kim Jong-un is approximately 1.7 meters tall, and his weight had seemingly decreased in 2021 from 140 kilograms. However, recent images from North Korean state media show that he has once again regained weight.
The NIS mentioned that Kim Jong-un’s body mass index is severely above the standard, putting him at high risk for heart disease. According to intelligence gathered by the NIS, Kim Jong-un has been exhibiting symptoms of high blood pressure and diabetes since he was in his early thirties.
South Korean lawmakers Lee Seong-kweun and Park Sunwon disclosed to local media that there is intelligence indicating that North Korean officials have been trying to obtain new medications overseas for Kim Jong-un’s suspected hypertension and diabetes.
Reports from the Associated Press indicate that heart disease runs in Kim Jong-un’s family, as both his father and grandfather died from heart-related issues.
According to reports from the Yonhap News Agency, Kim Jong-un’s daughter, Kim Ju Ae, is currently undergoing training as a “successor”. North Korea has hinted that Kim Ju Ae is the most likely successor at present, and she is receiving relevant training.
Analysis from the NIS suggests that over 60% of the activities Kim Ju Ae participates in are related to military events accompanying her father, with a small portion involving economic activities. Given the North Korean regime referring to her as a “guide” to the successor and leader, Kim Ju Ae’s position as a successor seems to be significantly consolidated. However, the possibility remains that other siblings could also become successors, and Kim Ju Ae’s status has not been definitively confirmed. Therefore, the NIS does not rule out the potential for changes in the successor selection.