New Delhi,UPDATED: Jun 1, 2023 10:06 IST
By India Today World Desk: North Korea’s supreme leader Kim Jong Un is spiralling, if intelligence reports from Seoul are to be believed. The 40-year-old autocrat is indulging in “heavy boozing and smoking” and his weight has surpassed 300 pounds (136 kg), according to a report by the New York Post.
The New York Post report cited a member of South Korea’s parliamentary intelligence committee, who disclosed at a recent briefing that Kim Jong Un’s lifestyle has devolved into a “vicious cycle” of excessive drinking and smoking as he pulls all-nighters. This pattern of behaviour has prompted Seoul’s National Intelligence Service to “intensely monitor” the leader’s health.
Previously, portly Kim Jong Un appeared noticeably slimmer in a series of photographs, suggesting a potential weight loss effort. However, it seems that his endeavour to shed weight was short-lived, as South Korean intel indicates that he has once again packed on the pounds. Estimates suggest that he now weighs over 140 kg.
One particularly alarming aspect is Kim Jong Un’s excessive consumption of alcohol and tobacco, the lawmaker said in his report. It has been reported that the tyrant has been hoarding imports from the United States, including Marlboro cigarettes, and medications such as zolpidem, commonly used to treat insomnia.
During a public appearance on May 16, Kim Jong Un appeared visibly tired, with prominent dark circles around his eyes. These signs of fatigue further contribute to the growing speculation about his deteriorating health.
Reports have emerged of “scratches and bruises” observed on Kim Jong Un’s arms. While the origin of these injuries remains unclear, the South Korean lawmaker suggested that it may be a result of “stress-induced dermatitis.”
The health of North Korea’s leader has always been a subject of significant interest and speculation, given the secretive nature of the regime. King Jong Un had sparked rumours about his well-being after he disappeared from the public eye for over a month in February this year.
These revelations about Kim Jong Un’s weight fluctuations, his unhealthy habits, and signs of physical distress come at a time when the hermit nation is experiencing a critical food crisis. A Washington DC-based think-tank said in March that the country is on the brink of famine.
