The bandage was seen in state media pictures when Kim appeared at a Korean Folks’s Military occasion from July 24 to 27, in response to NK Information website and the Chosun Ilbo newspaper. There have been additionally pictures at occasions in late July during which the bandage was gone and a greenish spot was seen, they stated, citing a evaluation of North Korean state media.
Whereas the chief’s well being is among the largely intently guarded secrets and techniques in North Korea, it has allowed uncommon glimpses into the 37-year-old chief’s situation as he tries to revive the economic system and battles meals shortages. State propaganda for many years has portrayed the supreme chief as being so people-focused that they threat their very own well-being.
In June, state media cited a citizen as saying North Koreans broke down in tears over seeing a dramatically thinner Kim, who returned to the general public eye chopping a a lot thinner determine after being absent for many of Could.
Kim retains his hair shaved beneath the extent of his temple, making it troublesome to cover any blemishes on the again of his head. By releasing the photographs to the skin world, North Korea supplied fodder for spy companies on the lookout for clues on Kim’s well being.
Mysterious spot and bandage seem on again of Kim Jong Un’s head https://t.co/IaRCEzzyTR https://t.co/jd2Ppz7jdX
— Chad O’Carroll (@chadocl) 1627892344000
South Korea’s Nationwide Intelligence Service believes there have been no uncommon indicators relating to Kim’s well being, the Yonhap Information Company reported on Tuesday. It cited lawmakers who had been briefed by the spy company, which added the patch was eliminated after just a few days and there was no scar.
NK Information, a specialty service specializing in the nation, stated there was no mark on the again of Kim’s head in pictures launched by state media when he attended a July 11 occasion with musicians, including the chief seemingly frolicked after that at a beachfront mansion in Wonsan.
After a protracted absence final yr that raised concern concerning the stability of his regime, Kim emerged for a Could Day 2020 occasion at a fertilizer manufacturing facility with marks on his wrists that fueled hypothesis he might have had a medical process.
Nonetheless shrinking
Kim — obese and a smoker — has been the topic of well being hypothesis for years. His longest absence from the general public eye was six weeks in 2014. When he did reappear, he was strolling with a cane, elevating hypothesis he may very well be affected by gout.
His grandfather and state founder Kim Il Sung had an nearly tennis ball-sized development on the again of his neck, which was caught in pictures on worldwide journeys through the years. His propaganda machine made positive it was by no means proven to his public.
Kim Jong Un is going through probably the most troublesome intervals of his rule that began in late 2011. The economic system in 2020 posted its sharpest drop in additional than 20 years as a result of coronavirus, pure disasters and worldwide sanctions, in response to South Korean central financial institution knowledge launched final week. Gross home product was smaller final yr than when Kim took over, it stated.
The North Korean chief has issued uncommon warnings of financial struggles and meals shortages however up to now has proven no indication he’s keen to return to discussions on lowering his nuclear arsenal in return for financial incentives.