North Korean leader Kim Jong Un continues to appear utterly unconcerned about his health despite ongoing speculation on his declining health. Recently, he was spotted smoking incessantly during a visit to flood-hit areas.
Kim oversaw recovery operations during his three-day stay in the heavily flooded city of Sinuiju in North Pyongan Province. He arrived at the site on Sunday and presided over the 22nd expanded meeting of the central committee’s political bureau on Monday and Tuesday.
Before the meeting, Kim took a small rescue boat to survey areas where the floodwaters reached the rooftops of houses and temporary shelters for displaced residents.
Kim and several officials were present in what appeared to be a rubber boat; notably, he carried an ashtray with him. Despite the confined space of the rescue boat, Kim seemed to make a point of having an ashtray available as he surveyed the area. His preferred cigarettes, “Sonamu,” and matches were also never far from him, even during a meeting held on his private train.
Despite frequent concerns about his health, Kim is known for being a heavy smoker, often lighting up during public events. It is common to spot him smoking on various occasions, including Party meetings, military events, economic discussions, and public engagements.
According to a recent report by South Korea’s National Intelligence Service (NIS), Kim’s weight has reached 308 pounds (140 kg), placing him in a state of severe obesity with a body mass index (BMI) in the mid-40s, far exceeding the average threshold of 25. The report hinted at a significant possibility of health issues, particularly highlighting that he may fall into a high-risk category for heart disease. The late leaders Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il both died from heart-related conditions.
The intelligence agency also reported that North Korea is searching for a “new medication” for Kim. While they did not specify the symptoms it would address, it likely pertains to chronic conditions that could worsen over time.
Despite the well-known health risks, Kim appears unfazed by the dangers of smoking. He even smokes in the presence of his daughter, Ju Ae, who has been seen holding his matches.
During a stopover en route to the North Korea-U.S. summit in Hanoi, Kim’s sister, Kim Yo Jong, was photographed taking care of his ashtray. This incident highlights that Kim’s smoking habit remains a protected and untouchable aspect of his life in North Korea.
Kim’s wife, Ri Sol Ju, once lamented during the two Koreas summit that Kim never listened to her plea to stop smoking.
On the contrary, North Korea has been encouraging its citizens to quit smoking, indicating that it sees the leader’s smoking as a separate issue. In 2020, North Korea launched an anti-smoking campaign by enacting a smoking ban law and establishing the “Smoking Cessation Research and Promotion Center” to promote the ban. The law bans smoking in commercial service facilities, including hotels, shops, and restaurants, as well as in theaters, libraries, gyms, bus stops, and waiting rooms.
