Heartbroken North Koreans have tearfully worried about leader Kim Jong Un’s “haggard appearance”, state media report citing a local resident, in a rare acknowledgment of foreign speculation about his weight loss.
The comments were seen as an effort to build national support for Kim’s efforts as he grapples with worsening economic difficulties caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, mismanagement, UN economic sanctions, and natural disasters, they said. some experts.
“The hearts of our people suffered the most when we saw (Kim’s) haggard gaze,” North Korean state television said on Friday, citing an unidentified resident wearing a straw hat.
“Everyone says tears come naturally to his eyes.”
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In recent photos from state media, Mr. Kim appears to have lost a lot of weight. Some North Korean observers have said that Kim, who is about 5 feet 8 inches tall and previously weighed 140 kilograms (308 pounds), may have lost 10 to 20 kilograms (22 to 44 pounds).
Kim’s health is receiving a lot of attention from abroad, as the 37-year-old leader has not publicly named a successor to take over North Korea’s growing nuclear arsenal aimed at the United States and its allies if incapacitated.
Some analysts in Seoul said Kim likely dieted to improve his health, while others speculated that his weight loss could be related to health problems.
Known for heavy drinking and smoking, Mr. Kim comes from a family with a history of heart problems. His father and his grandfather, who ruled North Korea before him, died of heart problems.
In recent months, Kim has called for a stronger drive to overcome what he calls “the worst crisis” caused by pandemic-related border closures that have dramatically reduced North Korea’s international trade, persistent US-led sanctions. and the deadly summer storms. last year.
