"Kim Jong-un Weighs 140kg but Is Healthy... First Public Reveal of North Korea's Chemical Warfare Unit" (Comprehensive)

National Intelligence Service Reports North Korea Trends at National Assembly Audit
"Kim Yo-jong Oversees Diplomacy, Security, and Overall State Affairs"
"Two SLBM-Capable Submarines Under Construction"
"Communication Decrease and Eun Language System Change After West Sea Incident"

North Korean State Affairs Commission Chairman Kim Jong Un consecutively inspected the typhoon damage recovery sites along the East Coast, including Sinpo in South Hamgyong Province and Hongwon County, the Korean Central Television reported on October 15.

The National Intelligence Service (NIS) revealed on the 3rd that although North Korean State Affairs Commission Chairman Kim Jong-un's weight has been rapidly increasing every year since he came to power, there are no particular abnormalities in his health. Additionally, North Korea is constructing two new submarines capable of carrying submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs), and it was confirmed that electronic warfare and chemical warfare units were publicly revealed for the first time during the recent military parade commemorating the 75th anniversary of the founding of the Workers' Party.

At the National Assembly Intelligence Committee's audit held at the NIS office in Naegok-dong on the same day, Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Byung-gi and People Power Party lawmaker Ha Tae-kyung, both secretaries of the committee, briefed the media that the NIS reported, "Chairman Kim has gained weight but shows no significant signs of health problems." The NIS also reported on overall North Korean affairs, including developments related to Kim, changes in the power structure, and foreign policy trends.

◆ Kim Jong-un, 140kg... Increasing 6-7kg Annually Over 12 Years in Power

Lawmaker Ha stated, "Chairman Kim suffered from 'tarsal tunnel syndrome' in 2014, which caused cysts on his feet and made walking difficult, but he has fully recovered," adding, "He is capable of walking steadily, climbing stairs and hills without difficulty." He further noted, "Although Chairman Kim has gained weight, his relatively young age means that even obesity does not pose a major health issue."

At the time of his rise to power in 2012, Kim's weight was approximately 90 kilograms (kg), and the NIS estimates that it has increased by an average of 6-7 kg annually. His current weight is estimated to be around 140 kg. The NIS also anticipates that Kim's military rank as 'Wonsu' (Marshal) could be elevated to 'Daewonsu' (Grand Marshal).

◆ Kim Yo-jong Oversees Overall State Affairs... Status Expected to Rise Further at 8th Party Congress Early Next Year

Furthermore, the NIS understands that Kim Yo-jong, the first deputy director of the Workers' Party and Kim Jong-un's sister, oversees not only foreign and security affairs but also overall state affairs.

Lawmaker Ha explained, "Kim Yo-jong is still involved in overall state affairs, including planning the 75th anniversary founding event of the Party, not just foreign and security matters. She temporarily ceased accompanying Chairman Kim for two months, but this was not inactivity; she was engaged in separate tasks such as epidemic control and flood relief." He added, "Kim Yo-jong is currently a candidate member of the Party Political Bureau, and her Party position is expected to be elevated at the 8th Party Congress scheduled for early next year."

Regarding Choe Son-hui, the first vice foreign minister who recently disappeared from radar, it is observed that she is fully dedicated to preparing a foreign strategy line in anticipation of the U.S. presidential election aftermath. Lawmaker Kim conveyed that the NIS reported, "Although Choe has no public activities, she is focused on analyzing the U.S. election results and formulating post-election U.S. policy."

Park Ji-won, Director of the National Intelligence Service, is waiting for the start of the National Assembly Intelligence Committee's audit of the National Intelligence Service at the NIS headquarters on the 3rd.

◆ Two Submarines Capable of Carrying SLBMs Under Construction... Chemical and Electronic Warfare Units Revealed

Moreover, North Korea is believed to have recently conducted a series of military demonstrations to consolidate the regime and showcase its power externally.

The NIS introduced that "North Korea is constructing two new submarines capable of carrying SLBMs."

Lawmaker Ha said, "At the recent 75th anniversary parade of the Party's founding, North Korea revealed several items for the first time in history," mentioning the increased length and diameter of new intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) and the increased warhead weight. He added, "The ballistic missiles revealed this time numbered 76 units across 9 types, marking the largest scale in the history of military parades."

The NIS analyzed that North Korea publicly revealed electronic warfare and chemical warfare units for the first time ever during the parade.

Lawmaker Ha explained, "The electronic warfare unit conducts radio wave jamming operations, and equipment presumed to be used for communication jamming was spotted in photos related to the parade." He added, "A chemical warfare unit wearing small bags presumed to be biochemical detection kits was also revealed."

Recently, North Korea changed the name of its defense ministry equivalent, the 'People's Armed Forces Ministry,' to the 'Ministry of Defense,' emphasizing that "military power will be used defensively." Lawmaker Kim stated, "This is judged to be a measure to highlight the image of a normal state by using internationally accepted terminology."

Director Park Ji-won of the National Intelligence Service is waiting for the start of the National Assembly Intelligence Committee's audit of the NIS at the NIS headquarters on the 3rd. From the left, Kim Sang-gyun, 1st Deputy Director; Director Park; Park Jeong-hyun, 2nd Deputy Director; Kim Seon-hee, 3rd Deputy Director.

◆ Full-Scale COVID-19 Prevention Efforts... Death Penalty Possible for Violations

Additionally, North Korea is making all-out efforts to respond to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), which is also affecting inter-Korean exchanges.

Lawmaker Ha reported, "North Korea has added provisions to its emergency epidemic prevention law, making it possible to impose life imprisonment or even the death penalty for violations of epidemic prevention measures." He added, "The Party Central Inspection Team has been dispatched nationwide, prioritizing epidemic prevention as the top task."

It is also understood that North Korea suffered significant flood damage this summer.

Lawmaker Ha stated, "In the case of Kumdok, the largest mineral production area in South Hamgyong Province, flooding damage equivalent to 18 times the area of Yeouido was sustained, and production of lead, zinc, and magnesite is estimated to have decreased by more than 30% in August and September." He added that flood damage is expected to reduce the grain harvest by more than 200,000 tons.

Despite the dual hardships of epidemic control and flood damage, North Korea is firmly rejecting aid from the South.

Lawmaker Ha said, "North Korea is concerned that COVID-19 could be transmitted internally through external supplies and therefore does not accept materials from the South." It was also reported that in mid-August, North Korean customs officials who were supposed to receive South Korean supplies were severely punished on a large scale.

◆ Kim Jong-un Orders Reinvestigation of West Sea Incident

Regarding the recent West Sea public official shooting incident, there are indications that Chairman Kim ordered a reinvestigation.

Lawmaker Ha said, "There was intelligence suggesting that the North conducted a search for the body in connection with the incident," adding, "It appears that there was an order from Kim Jong-un to reinvestigate the circumstances of the incident."

Furthermore, North Korea seems to have strengthened communication security significantly after this incident. Lawmaker Ha explained, "After the incident, North Korea's communication network usage decreased significantly, which seems to be because the North's communication network was heavily exposed to the media."

The internal code and slang system within the North Korean military has also been substantially changed. Lawmaker Ha conveyed, "The NIS reported that the slang system used for communication among themselves has also changed somewhat."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.