Slimmer Kim Jong-un’s health taboo in North Korea

An ever thinner Kim Jong-un He appeared in public again on September 9 to attend a grand parade in Pyongyang. North Korea, which closed its borders at the start of the pandemic and is proud of its success in the fight against Covid-19, held a grandiose parade on September 9 for the 73rd anniversary of the founding of the regime and the 10th anniversary of the sovereign’s government.

Heavy smoker, Kim, 37, has been a victim of obesity for many years. Spy reports say that when he came to power he ingested large amounts of Swiss cheese, caviar, lobster and wine. And last year, South Korean intelligence told lawmakers they believed Kim weighed 90kg when he came to power in 2011 and has gained an average of 6-7kg per year since, reaching 10. books. 140 kilos.

The Supreme Ruler has been out of public sight for nearly a month, reappearing in late June much leaner than before, prompting a debate over Kim’s health on a state-owned TV station, where he was quoted. as an anonymous from Pingyang lamenting: “Seeing the respected Secretary-General looking haggard breaks the hearts of our people”.

North Korea now punishes wearing jeans and watching Western movies

“He is suffering with his people”, says the official version

In early July, Asian media reported that he had lost a lot of weight in just a few months, citing health concerns. “Kim Jong-un recently lost about 10 to 20 kilograms of weight and is continuing normal government activities.”, He said South Korean lawmaker Kim Byeong-kee on the basis of intelligence reports. The North Korean media, all under the regime’s control, refuted the speculation and said the leader lost weight because he was “”work for the good of the country”.

Corn the regime’s explanations have not convinced the North Koreans, who seem to no longer believe in the divinity of the Kim dynasty. The dictator’s physical condition has already been highlighted so many times that the country’s authorities have started urging citizens not to talk about their health, according to reports. Free Asia Radio (RFA) citing its sources in the country.

The story allegedly promoted by the authorities claims that Kim, whom he calls the Maximum dignity, is in good health, and that his weight loss is due to him “Suffer with his people, who are struggling against chronic food insecurity worsen due to the effects of a prolonged coronavirus pandemic ”.

Kim Jong-un renews his image and shows himself with a militarist gaze: hardening of the regime?

“It is a ‘reactionary act’ to talk about the health of the leader”

“As stories of health issues related to Maximum Dignity weight loss spread among residents, many Chongjin neighborhood watch units made official statements to people (…), saying that it is a ‘reactionary act’ to talk about the health of the leader, ”an anonymous source told RFA.

The source, identified as a North Korean citizen of a port area, also claimed that neighborhood watch units reported Kim’s sudden weight loss. “It is not due to a health problem, but it is suffering alone for the good of the country and the people in crisis.”

“This is the first time that the authorities feel the need to officially explain through the neighborhood watch units in all the regions that the Maximum dignity he has no health problems, ”said this person. “But on the other hand, some residents have accepted and They said Kim’s weight loss wouldn’t be a bad thing, as her appearance before losing weight seemed to be more dangerous to her health.”.

North Korea to have “quarantine camps” to let people infected with Covid die

Another anonymous source said that Northern State watchdog Hwanghae also warned people not to whisper about Kim’s health and recalled that at the time of the leader’s father or grandfather Currently, it would have been unheard of for anyone to speak openly about health. The head of state.

From Kim Jong-il, father of Kim Jong-un, the official account spread that his birth was heralded by a double rainbow and a shining star in the sky, which he learned to walk at. 3 weeks and speaking at 8, which he managed to write about 1,500 books in college and compose six operas in two years.

Whisper about it Dear chef it can be very dangerous. “In some cases, at the time, the person speakingaba on the leader’s health problems time taken with her family to a political prison ”, said the person. “But everyone these days is on top of Maximum Dignity weight loss, so the authorities are doing all they can to keep their mouths shut,” he said. RFA.