Kim Jong-un has piled on weight after gorging himself on foreign snacks and drinking to excess, South Korean spies believe.
The North Korean leader now weighs over 22 stones (300lbs) and is likely suffering from insomnia, the National Intelligence Service (NIS) told South Korea’s politicians.
There had been signs of dramatic weight loss after an apparent health scare in 2020, which saw Kim’s weight drop to around 18st (250lbs).
North Korea has recently imported large amounts of Marlboro and Dunhill cigarettes, along with high-end snacks traditionally served with alcoholic drinks, evidence, the spies said, that the country’s leader was increasingly struggling with alcohol and nicotine dependency.
North Koreans are also “intensely” gathering overseas medical information for high-ranking officials with insomnia, including details on how to treat it, like the use of sleeping pill zopiclone.
‘Significant sleep disorders’
Yoo Sang-bum, an executive secretary of the parliamentary intelligence committee and lawmaker for South Korea’s ruling People Power Party, shared the details of the NIS briefing with members of the press.
“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,” he said.
“Chairman Kim looked very tired with noticeable dark circles under his eyes during his public appearance on May 16,” he added.
Mr Yoo also spoke about the worsening plight of North Koreans amid increasing food shortages and a sharp rise in grain prices to the highest levels seen since Kim took power.
He also said that crime, suicides and deaths from starvation had all increased under Kim.
Concerns about Kim’s health, in particular his weight and heavy smoking habit, have long been raised by international observers.
On rare trips abroad, Kim reportedly travels with his own toilets, to prevent foreign intelligence services from analysing his excrement for clues.
He is known to enjoy whiskey and cognac, reportedly spending more than £24 million every year on imports of luxury liqueurs from overseas.
Kim is also known to enjoy fine foods, particularly caviar and cheese.
In 2014, it was reported that he had eaten so much Swiss emmental cheese that he had to retreat from public view to recover.
Kim Jong-un gains weight again by 'gorging on foreign snacks and alcohol' - The Telegraph
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