North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is classified as “extremely obese” and weighs more than 140 kilogrammes (about 310 pounds), South Korea’s spy agency has said.
South Korean lawmaker Youn Kun-young disclosed the assessment on Wednesday, saying Kim is considered to be at high risk of cardiovascular disease.
However, Youn said Kim has shown no difficulty with physical activities, including running up stairs.
“It is assessed that there are no signs of health issues,” Youn said, citing the close monitoring of Kim by his medical team.
Kim, a heavy smoker who has long been overweight, has faced repeated speculation about his health.
Concerns intensified in 2020 after he missed a major commemoration marking the birthday of his late grandfather, Kim Il Sung, and disappeared from public view for about 20 days.
Kim’s father, Kim Jong Il, and grandfather, Kim Il Sung, were also reported to be heavy smokers and obese. Both died from heart attacks.
Kim’s health remains closely monitored internationally because of his leadership of nuclear-armed North Korea and questions surrounding succession should he suddenly become incapacitated.
North Korea has also faced prolonged international sanctions over its weapons programmes, while its state-controlled economy has struggled with chronic food shortages.
UN special rapporteur Elizabeth Salmon described food shortages as a major humanitarian concern in the country in February.
Despite the economic difficulties, Kim has reportedly maintained expensive food preferences. Paul Smart, an executive chef who worked with Kim’s personal chefs during the 2019 North Korea-US summit in Hanoi, said Kim favoured luxury foods such as caviar, lobster and foie gras.
