Home Australia Slim Kim no more: Kim Jong Un appears to have piled on the pounds – three years after North Korean leader shed almost three stone during Covid – as he’s spotted in THAT leather jacket again

Slim Kim no more: Kim Jong Un appears to have piled on the pounds – three years after North Korean leader shed almost three stone during Covid – as he’s spotted in THAT leather jacket again

by Elijah
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Kim Jong Un and his daughter this week

Kim Jong Un appears to have gained weight since losing almost three stone during the Covid pandemic, with the North Korean dictator’s latest photos showing him filling out his trademark leather jacket.

The despot was spotted this week on an outing with his “most beloved” daughter, named by South Korean intelligence as Ju Ae, who is expected to take the reins of the hermit kingdom.

Speculation that he has chosen his heir apparent in his middle child – believed to be aged 10 to 12 – comes after experts suggested the 40-year-old’s increasing weight means he could “collapse » at any time.

Today, photographs published by state media appear to show him rounder than in previous months – looking slimmer even in January – and noticeably taller than when he lost weight in 2021.

Kim disappeared from the public eye between January and May of that year before returning 40 pounds lighter, with officials saying he ate less “for the good of the country” – while his people starved.

Kim Jong Un and his daughter this week

Kim Jong Un in 2022

Kim Jong Un in 2022

Latest photos of the North Korean dictator show him stuffing his trademark leather jacket (pictured right this week and left in 2022)

Kim Jong Un and his daughter Kim Ju Ae visit the Gangdong greenhouse in North Korea, in this photo released on March 16, 2024.

Kim Jong Un and his daughter Kim Ju Ae visit the Gangdong greenhouse in North Korea, in this photo released on March 16, 2024.

Kim Jong Un and his daughter Kim Ju Ae visit the Gangdong greenhouse in North Korea, in this photo released on March 16, 2024.

Kim appeared slimmer as he attended a submarine-launched cruise missile test on January 28, 2024.

Kim appeared slimmer as he attended a submarine-launched cruise missile test on January 28, 2024.

Kim appeared slimmer as he attended a submarine-launched cruise missile test on January 28, 2024.

Kim disappeared from public view in 2021 before returning 40 pounds lighter (November 2021 photo)

Kim disappeared from public view in 2021 before returning 40 pounds lighter (November 2021 photo)

Kim disappeared from public view in 2021 before returning 40 pounds lighter (November 2021 photo)

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un attends a plenary meeting of the Central Committee of the ruling Workers' Party in this photo released on December 28, 2021.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un attends a plenary meeting of the Central Committee of the ruling Workers' Party in this photo released on December 28, 2021.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un attends a plenary meeting of the Central Committee of the ruling Workers’ Party in this photo released on December 28, 2021.

There was speculation at the time whether the dictator – known for his love of good food and wine – was simply aiming to look slimmer or if he was actually cutting calories due to weight problems. health amid the Covid pandemic.

While the regime keeps Kim’s health a secret, reports have emerged over the years that he may suffer from hypertension, diabetes and high cholesterol.

He is also a known smoker, with reports last year that he engaged in “heavy consumption of alcohol and tobacco.”

In 2020, Dr Kenneth Dekleva suggested that Kim’s weight and other “risk factors” gave her a one in three chance of suffering a heart attack in the next ten years.

But in 2021, he stunned the world with a slimmed-down physique, with South Korean intelligence claiming he had lost 44 pounds.

The bully, who stands 5 feet 6 inches tall, weighed more than 300 pounds at his peak, before dropping to around 260 pounds.

Regime officials told state media that Kim was eating less “for the good of the country” as the country grappled with famine, insisting he remained healthy.

State television even spoke to someone who said his “emaciated” state was “breaking the hearts of our people.”

With the UN reporting that around 40% of North Koreans have faced malnutrition during the pandemic, such comments are seen as part of a propaganda campaign as many have faced starvation .

Kim Jong Un is pictured inspecting a major operational training base in the Korean People's Army's western zone earlier this month.

Kim Jong Un is pictured inspecting a major operational training base in the Korean People's Army's western zone earlier this month.

Kim Jong Un is pictured inspecting a major operational training base in the Korean People’s Army’s western zone earlier this month.

The North Korean despot was photographed standing next to a soldier during a training exercise this month.

The North Korean despot was photographed standing next to a soldier during a training exercise this month.

The North Korean despot was photographed standing next to a soldier during a training exercise this month.

Speculation about Kim’s health also forced the government to ban rumors about his weight, calling them a “reactionary act.”

Analysts have suggested that Kim’s rapid weight loss would have been difficult to achieve if he had not had a gastric band.

Dr Dekleva told The Sun Online: “The rapidity and extent of his recent weight loss is consistent with a bariatric surgery procedure, likely a gastric sleeve or bypass procedure.”

Photos of Kim as a teenager and young man show him with a much slimmer figure.

Undated photo shows Kim Jong Un as a slimmer young man

Undated photo shows Kim Jong Un as a slimmer young man

Undated photo shows Kim Jong Un as a slimmer young man

Kim was seen wearing his trademark leather jacket while watching a military exercise this week

Kim was seen wearing his trademark leather jacket while watching a military exercise this week

Kim was seen wearing his trademark leather jacket while watching a military exercise this week

After becoming head of the PRK, his waistline swelled, and insiders say he likes to gorge on luxury food and drink.

But, according to a chef who worked for his late father, the dictator always had a taste for good food and drink, including steak, sushi, champagne and cheese.

North Korean officials have good reason to be concerned about the health of their supreme leader.

His father, Kim Jong Il, and grandfather, Kim Il Sung, both died of heart attacks. The dictator’s health is still a closely guarded state secret.

Speculation is now growing that Ju Ae is set to inherit her father’s leadership, with South Korea’s intelligence agency, the National Intelligence Service (NIS), saying on Friday that it was considering her as his likely successor.

Cheong Seong-Chang, an analyst at the private Sejong Institute in South Korea, said Kim likely believes his daughter has the ability and determination to succeed him as leader of the country.

He said Kim Jong Un’s obesity appears so serious that “it wouldn’t be surprising even if he collapsed tomorrow.”

This photo released on January 12, 2022 shows Kim Jong Un (right) speaking with military officials.

This photo released on January 12, 2022 shows Kim Jong Un (right) speaking with military officials.

This photo released on January 12, 2022 shows Kim Jong Un (right) speaking with military officials.

1710882200 841 Slim Kim no more Kim Jong Un appears to have

1710882200 841 Slim Kim no more Kim Jong Un appears to have

A leather-clad Kim Jong Un (pictured, left) was seen raising his fist in the air as he oversaw a live-fire exercise with a series of “newly equipped super-large” rocket launchers .

“Accompanying her father to major events, it’s like she’s learning about royalty and building a human network from a young age,” Cheong said.

South Korea’s NIS said in January that Ju Ae’s recent increased visibility suggests she “appears to be the most likely successor.”

But he added: “We are keeping our eyes open to all possibilities because Kim Jong Un is still young, has no major health problems and there are many variables.”

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