The health of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has received a lot of attention in recent months. This is after the leader looks noticeably thinner on photos and videos from state media.
Two photos of the North Korean leader, allegedly taken four months apart, have created speculation about a possible use of doubles.
This has led South Korea’s intelligence service (NIS) to launch an investigation, using artificial intelligence and analysis of the face using high-resolution video. according to the AP.
During a closed parliamentary evaluation, they are said to have concluded that Kim Jong-un has lost 20 kilos in weight.
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Not the first time
Unconfirmed rumors of a possible use of doubles continue to appear in the South Korean media, but according to Kim Byung-kee, a member of the South Korean National Assembly, there is no reason to believe this.
He says the change is due to a natural weight loss and that Kim’s weight has gone from being approx. 140 kilos to 120 kilos. Earlier, NIS said that the North Korean leader is approx. 170 cm high.
The people of North Korea have previously been concerned for Kim’s health. After being out of the spotlight for a while, the dictator appeared on the North Korean state channel in June with a somewhat unusual interview. There it was clear that the leader was much thinner in the face than before.
That’s when the site came out NK News until the strap on his expensive watch was tighter than it had been before.
It is also not the first time that something like this has happened.
In 2020, Kim disappeared from the screen for 20 days, which in turn created speculation about possible health problems.
Admits that the situation is “gloomy”
Eases border restrictions
As a result of the ongoing corona pandemic, North Korea is struggling with economic difficulties, according to The Guardian.
The pandemic has led to sky-high prices for goods, as well as a shortage of medicines and other essential supplies. This has led to the spread of waterborne diseases such as typhoid fever.
The country has also not been able to import paper and ink used to make banknotes, forcing them to issue a temporary currency, according to politician Ha Tae-keung.
The important trade with China must also have fallen sharply. According to NIS, the annual trade agreement was reduced by two thirds down to 185 million dollars, this from September last year until the same month this year.
North Korea has not yet reported any cases of the coronavirus, which experts have often questioned.
Recently, NIS confirmed by World Health Organization reports that North Korea is beginning to ease its tough covid-19 border restrictions to receive outside assistance.
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