South Korean intelligence is thoroughly investigating the state of the DPRK leader
South Korean intelligence agencies used advanced methods to analyze why North Korean leader Kim Jong-un lost 20 kg. Despite the weight loss, the North Korean leader is considered quite healthy.
Photo: kremlin.ru
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has recently lost about 20 kilograms, but remains healthy and is trying to increase public loyalty to him in the face of worsening economic problems, South Korea’s spy agency told lawmakers. According to The Guardian, South Korea’s national intelligence service gave an assessment during a closed parliamentary briefing on Thursday, it used artificial intelligence methods, analysis of Kim Jong-un’s video in ultra-high resolution and other methods to investigate Kim’s condition, two deputies who attended the meeting said.
In recent months, Kim Jong-un’s health has been the focus of intense attention from the outside, as he looked noticeably thinner in photos and videos in state media. Kim has not publicly appointed a successor, and some experts say that his abrupt incapacitation could cause chaos in a poor country with nuclear weapons.
Despite Kim’s lean appearance, long-time observers in North Korea have stated that Kim has no obvious health problems, and his weight loss is probably the result of his efforts to improve his physique. Experts noted that he continued his usual social activities, and nothing unusual was noticed in the North Korean videos.
But unconfirmed rumors about him continue to appear: one tabloid claims that a double was used in recent public speeches. The South Korean National Intelligence Service dismissed the report as unfounded, said lawmaker Kim Byung-ki. According to him, the National Intelligence Service reported at a parliamentary meeting that Kim’s weight had dropped from 140 to 120 kg. South Korean intelligence agencies previously reported that Kim’s height is about 170 centimeters.
It is alleged that Kim engaged in public activities for 70 days this year, which is 45% more than in the same period last year.
The MP said the National Intelligence Service had discovered that Kim Jong-un had deleted photos of his late father and grandfather, who ruled North Korea before him, from a workers’ party conference room.
Another MP, Ha Tae-geun, quoted the National Intelligence Service, saying that North Korea allegedly began using the term “kimchenynism” (a political ideology named after Kim Jong-un, which does not depend on existing ideologies named after his father and grandfather, “kimchenirism” and “kimirsenism”).
After 10 years in power, Kim Jong-un is struggling to overcome the most difficult period of his rule caused by economic difficulties exacerbated by the coronavirus pandemic.
According to the National Intelligence Service, North Korea’s annual trade volume with China, its main ally and economic lifeline, decreased by two-thirds to $185 million in September this year compared to the previous year, Deputy Ha said.
North Korean officials are struggling to cope with soaring commodity prices and shortages of medicines and other essentials that have accelerated the spread of waterborne diseases. The country has also been unable to import the paper and ink it uses to print banknotes, forcing North Korean officials to issue temporary currency, according to Ha’s report following a briefing by the National Intelligence Service.
While trade cuts have limited supplies of materials needed for industrial activities, North Korean officials are pushing hard for workers to increase production. According to Deputy Ha, excessive production activity led to an explosion at a large fertilizer plant in August.
The National Intelligence Service has confirmed recent reports from the World Health Organization that North Korea is starting to ease its tight border restrictions due to COVID-19 in order to get outside help.
North Korea has not yet reported any cases of coronavirus. Although experts have questioned the claim of ideal indicators, Ha said that the National Intelligence Service has not yet detected any signs of a serious outbreak of COVID-19.
Despite tight virus-related border controls, North Korea has not shown the same urgent need for vaccines, as mass vaccination continues to be delayed due to global shortages.
Ha said North Korea has rejected external offers of Russian and Chinese vaccines. The lawmaker said that the National Intelligence Service also found that North Korea had not shown interest in purchasing Pfizer vaccines, which would require negotiations with the drug manufacturer and the United States.