North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un Faces Health Challenges Amid Succession Speculation

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is reportedly grappling with significant health issues attributed to obesity, including high blood pressure and diabetes, according to South Korea's National Intelligence Service (NIS). During a briefing to South Korean politicians, the NIS revealed that Kim's aides are seeking new medications from abroad to address his deteriorating health. Kim, who has been in power since 2011, stands at approximately 170 cm (5 feet, 8 inches) and has fluctuated around 140 kg (over 22 stone), categorizing him as obese on the NHS Body Mass Index chart. The NIS indicated that Kim's weight has returned to around 140 kg, placing him in a high-risk category for various diseases. Symptoms of high blood pressure and diabetes have reportedly been present since his early 30s, raising concerns that he may eventually face heart disease if his health does not improve. Politicians at the meeting noted that Kim's lifestyle choices, including drinking, smoking, and stress, are believed to contribute to his obesity. As Kim's health becomes a focal point for international observers, speculation regarding his succession intensifies. The NIS has not ruled out the possibility of Kim Ju Ae, his daughter, being replaced by one of her siblings, as she has not been officially named as her father's successor. Since late 2022, Kim Ju Ae has participated in numerous public events alongside her father, with state media highlighting her growing political prominence and connection to Kim.