North Korean leader Kim Jong Un weighs over 140 kilograms and, according to South Korean intelligence, is in a high-risk group for cardiovascular diseases. However, the intelligence agency claims that it currently has no signs indicating serious health problems.
According to AFP citing South Korean parliament member Yoon Kun-yon, the country's National Intelligence Service assesses Kim Jong Un's condition as "extreme obesity." Such information is based on estimates from South Korean intelligence rather than published medical data from the North Korean leader himself.
Weight — Over 140 Kilograms
Yoon Kun-yon stated that Kim Jong Un smokes a lot and weighs over 140 kilograms. These factors, according to intelligence assessments, increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases.
However, the South Korean side claims that there are currently no visible signs of serious health problems. Kim Jong Un, in particular, does not show noticeable difficulties during physical activity, including climbing stairs quickly. Intelligence attributes this partly to constant monitoring by his medical team.
Interest in the health of the North Korean leader is particularly high due to the secrecy of the DPRK. In 2020, his nearly three-week absence from public view sparked numerous rumors about possible illness and surgery.
Father and Grandfather Died of Heart Attacks
AFP also notes the family history. The current North Korean leader's father, Kim Jong Il, and his grandfather, Kim Il Sung, also suffered from obesity and smoked heavily. Both died of heart attacks.
As early as 2023, South Korean intelligence estimated Kim Jong Un's weight to be over 140 kilograms. At that time, a South Korean parliament member reported that the intelligence agency used artificial intelligence technologies to analyze the appearance of the North Korean leader.
Caviar, Lobsters, and Foie Gras
AFP also recalls the memories of Paul Smart, the chef of the Hanoi Metropole hotel, who worked with Kim Jong Un's personal chefs during the 2019 DPRK–US summit. According to him, the North Korean leader preferred rare meat and expensive delicacies, including caviar, lobsters, and foie gras.
"He loves caviar, lobsters, really luxurious foods, foie gras — he really enjoys fine dining," the chef said.
This detail particularly contrasts with the humanitarian situation in North Korea itself. The UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in North Korea, Elizabeth Salmon, described the food shortage as one of the key humanitarian issues in the country in February.
Kim Jong Un's health remains a subject of external assessments and speculation: Pyongyang does not publish detailed medical information about the country's leader. Therefore, data regarding his weight and health risks should be viewed as an assessment from South Korean intelligence, conveyed by a parliament member, rather than as a confirmed medical diagnosis.
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