South Korea’s intelligence service reports that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is experiencing severe health and lifestyle issues. South Korean lawmaker Yoo Sang-bum, who serves as the executive secretary for the Parliamentary Intelligence Committee, told reporters Wednesday that the country’s intelligence service believes Kim “may be experiencing a serious sleep disorder and engaging in excessive alcohol and tobacco consumption.”
The North Korean Chairman’s weight is estimated to be 308 pounds, according to Yoo. Kim was previously reported to have lost about 44 pounds while trying to improve his public image in 2021. Yoo says that the South Korean spy agency uses AI to analyze recent pictures to estimate the Northern leader’s height. Kim’s has been estimated to be 5 foot 8 inches.
His health is being “intensely” monitored as he is suspected of being in a “vicious cycle” of alcohol and tobacco use, exacerbating the speculated sleep disorder. The South Korean lawmaker also noted scratches and bruises have been observed on Kim’s arms since last year, suggesting a combination of allergies and stress-induced dermatitis may be the cause.
The intelligence committee member said:
He appeared tired with clear dark circles around his eyes during his public appearance on May 16 and was estimated to weigh over 140 kilograms [almost 309 lbs.] according to AI analysis.
The intelligence official also claims that Kim is hoarding medications such as zolpidem for the treatment of insomnia, as well as American imports of Marlboro cigarettes… and “high-quality snacks.” After the closed-door briefing, Yoo said:
Based on the fact that North Korean authorities have been actively collecting the latest medical information, including medications such as zolpidem, for the treatment of insomnia in high-ranking officials abroad in April, the NIS estimates Chairman Kim is suffering from significant sleep disorders.
North Korea’s fiercely controlled state media rarely mentions the leader’s health, or even his age, which is rumored to be 39 years old. But, in March he was quoted as saying he always pulls all-nighters to work, staying up until at least 5 a.m.
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The briefing came hours after a failed North Korean spy satellite launch on Wednesday morning, which Kim is reported to have personally attended. The attempt ended with the rocket’s booster and payload crashing into the water off of the Korean peninsula’s west coast due to losing thrust after the first and second stage components separated. The launch was condemned by Washington, Seoul, and Tokyo. On Thursday, Kim Yo-jong, the sister of the supreme leader, said a successful re-launch of the reconnaissance satellite will be made soon. She criticized the US for its “gangster-like” hypocrisy.
The Chairman took extended public absences during the early stages of the pandemic, which led to previous speculation about his leader’s heath. Kim Jong Un came to power in 2011 after his father, Kim Jong Il, died from a heart attack after having a stroke in 2008. The leader hasn’t selected a successor, although it is speculated his ten-year-old daughter may be groomed to take the position, appearing in highly orchestrated state media pieces and being called his “most beloved child.” On New Year’s Day, photos were released of the child appearing alongside her father, walking hand-in-hand at a nuclear site. But, without a known succession pick, an abrupt incapacitation of Kim could spark chaos in the nuclear-armed country.
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