North Korea's state-run TV admits Kim Jong Un has lost weight and the leader's health is a subject of concern, Bloomberg News, Business Today and many others reported Monday.
North Koreans are "heartbroken" at Kim's physical appearance, an unidentified resident of Pyongyang was quoted by Korean Central TV as saying, according to South Korea's Yonhap news agency.
"Seeing respected general secretary Kim looking emaciated breaks our people's hearts so much," the resident said in quotes by KRT.
The 37-year old Kim returned to public this month much thinner after keeping a low profile for most of May. During an appearance Kim warned that North Korea's food situation is now "getting tense."
Kim's health is a sensitive subject and is left unaddressed for the most part by North Korea's state news media. But overseas agencies monitor his weight, according to Bloomberg, as an indication of his health.
Kim's family has a history of heart disease. Kim was overweight and also a chain smoker, reports say. Speculation has been rife over the years about his health.
In 2014, he disappeared from public view for six weeks. When he reappeared, he was walking with a cane. He was suffering from a "discomfort," state news media said.
"It's hard to say what caused Kim's weight loss, or what his health condition was but right now they're using it for propaganda purposes," Bloomberg quoted Rachel Minyoung Lee as saying.
Lee is a nonresident fellow with the 38 North Program at the Stimson Center. He said the propaganda specifically "highlights Kim's hard work and sacrifice to improve living standards."
Though he looked thinner and his clothing appeared baggy, one news agency found a way to possibly confirm the weight loss by comparing images of Kim's $12,000 Swiss watch.
According to Seoul-based NK News, the length of the wristwatch's strap past the buckle was longer in recent state news media photos than those shown in November.
Kim is thought to have three children. With no clear successor, his sister - Kim Yo Jong - is seen as a candidate to take over, analysts say.
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