The North Korean leader, Kim Jong-un, has prompted more speculation about his health after recent photographs suggested he had lost weight. On Tuesday the Seoul-based website published enlarged images suggesting that Kim, who is believed to be 37, had tightened the strap on his favourite watch, reportedly worth $12,000. Kim, a heavy smoker whose father, Kim Jong-il, died from a suspected heart attack in December 2011, has struggled with health conditions observers attribute to his weight and lifestyle. One analyst told NK News the leader may have decided to lose weight to improve his standing at home. A more plausible theory – that he had simply been isolating with his family as a precaution during the pandemic – emerged after Kim reappeared, apparently in good health.

Source: The Guardian June 09, 2021 04:07 UTC