Kim Jong Un piles on weight again, North Korea seeks medicine for his health issues: Report

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is unwell. His officials are apparently seeking new medicines abroad to treat obesity-related health problems such as high blood pressure and diabetes, South Korea's spy agency told lawmakers on Monday (Jul 29), The Associated Press reported.

Last year in January, reports emerged that Kim has been living quite an unhealthy lifestyle as he spends most of his time drinking fine spirits and wines.

The spy agency's fresh claims suggest that there isn't any significant improvement in his lifestyle as the 40-year-oldhas regained weight and is in a high-risk group for heart disease.

Kim is about 170 centimetres (5 feet, 7 inches) tall and previously weighed 140 kilogrammes (308 pounds). The North Korean dictator belongsto a family with a history of heart problems as both his father and grandfather died of heart issues.

In 2021, news about Kim losing weight made waves when he looked slimmer than ever during an event. Some said it was because of health issues, but observers said Kim's weight loss is probably the result of his efforts to improve his physique. He has no apparent health problems.

In a closed-door briefing, the National Intelligence Service, which is South Korea's main spy agency, told lawmakers that Kim is estimated to weigh about 140 kilogrammes (308 pounds) again.

As quoted by the news agency, Lee Seong Kweun, one of the lawmakers, said that the mentioned weight is considered to be a high-risk group for heart disease.

Lee said that the spy agency informed lawmakers that Kim had displayed signs of diabetes and high blood pressure since he was in his early 30s.

Park Sunwon, a different congressman, stated that the NIS believes that the reason behind Kim's weight gain could be drinking, smoking and stress.

Both lawmakers said that the NIS has learnt that North Korean officials have been attempting to procure new medicines from outside for Kim's alleged diabetes and high blood pressure.

Watch:North Korea: Kim Jong's daughter; candidate next in line

Who will be Kim's successor?

According to South Korean MPs, the briefing by the spy agency also included Kim grooming his teenage daughter as his successor to lead the nation.

The daughter, Kim Ju Ae, whose age has not been confirmed, has been seen with her father at a variety of events, fuelling speculation that Kim Jong Un has chosen her as heir apparent to lead a fourth generation of hereditary rule by his family.

(With inputs from agencies)