Disproving Health Rumors and Gaining Public Support... Kim Jong-un's 'Salkkagi' Rule

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] From midnight to 1 a.m. on the 9th, a 'midnight military parade' was held at Kim Il-sung Square in Pyongyang to mark the 73rd anniversary of the regime's founding. The parade, which was smaller in scale than usual and featured no new weapons, drew particular attention for the changed appearance of Kim Jong-un, General Secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea. Once rumored to have health issues due to excessive weight, he appeared noticeably slimmer, and unlike two months ago when he looked gaunt, his complexion has improved.

◆ 90 kg in 2012 → 140 kg in 2020 = When Kim Jong-un first came to power in 2012, he weighed about 90 kg, but over eight years he gained nearly 50 kg, reaching 140 kg last year. Considering his height is approximately 170 cm, he was already close to 'morbid obesity' from the early days of his rule.

The reasons for his weight gain are mainly attributed to eating habits, drinking, and stress from governance. According to a 2016 briefing by the National Intelligence Service, Kim Jong-un reportedly held all-night drinking parties 3 to 4 times a week and led an indulgent lifestyle with poor eating habits. In 2014, he disappeared for 40 days and reappeared using a cane, which foreign media speculated might have been related to stomach reduction surgery. Additionally, 'Emmental cheese,' which he reportedly enjoyed since his time studying in Switzerland, was also pointed out as one of the causes of his obesity.

There are also stories that Kim Jong-un, who began his rule at a young age, deliberately gained weight to project an authoritative and strong image as a ruler, similar to his predecessors. In fact, his heavier appearance resembles that of his grandfather, President Kim Il-sung. During his visit to Russia in 2019, Kim Jong-un wore a black coat and fedora, a style that President Kim Il-sung was known to favor during his lifetime.

As a result, health problems related to being overweight have frequently followed him. During the 2018 'Pavement Meeting,' he was seen out of breath while walking about 200 meters from Panmungak to the Peace House while holding hands with President Moon Jae-in. He also appeared to be breathing heavily when climbing Mount Paektu with President Moon. Last year, rumors of his death circulated after he underwent cardiovascular surgery and was reported to be in serious condition, but he later appeared in good health.

◆ Recovering health and public sentiment through 'salgakki' (weight loss) = Kim Jong-un suddenly appeared looking gaunt at a Workers' Party Political Bureau meeting held on June 4. He had been out of public view for about a month prior, sparking rumors of 'personal issues,' and the rapid weight loss led to renewed speculation about his health. However, the National Intelligence Service dismissed these claims as "unfounded," stating that Kim Jong-un had recently lost about 10 to 20 kg and was conducting normal governance activities.

Since then, Kim Jong-un has consistently maintained his reduced weight, and recent videos show his complexion is more stable compared to June. He has effectively succeeded in 'salgakki' (dieting). Consequently, the health rumors that have persistently followed him are expected to lose momentum for the time being. However, it cannot be ruled out that this weight loss is not intentional dieting but rather due to stress from governance.

Kim Jong-un's physical changes also appear to serve the role of uniting the North Korean population and securing public sentiment amid ongoing internal struggles with food shortages and resource scarcity caused by repeated disasters, prolonged sanctions, and COVID-19. In June, through interviews with residents who watched the State Affairs Commission orchestra performance broadcast on Korean Central TV, reactions such as "It was heartbreaking to see the General Secretary looking so thin" and "Everyone was moved to tears (by Kim Jong-un's appearance)" were conveyed.

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