Seoul spy agency: Kim Jong Un extremely obese, over 140kg, high heart risk

Seoul’s spy agency assessed North Korean leader Kim Jong Un as extremely obese, weighing over 140 kilogrammes (about 310 pounds), and classified his health condition as high risk for cardiovascular disease. Despite the risk, the agency said he shows no difficulty with physical activity, such as running up stairs, and is under close monitoring by a dedicated medical team. The assessment notes that Kim’s father, Kim Jong Il, and grandfather, Kim Il Sung, were also obese heavy smokers who died of heart attacks. North Korea remains under multiple sanctions over its weapons programmes and continues to struggle with a moribund state‑managed economy and chronic food shortages—a concern highlighted by UN special rapporteur Elizabeth Salmon in February 2026. Earlier speculation about Kim’s health arose in 2020 when he missed a public commemoration and disappeared from view for about 20 days. Given the leader’s role in a nuclear‑armed state, any change in his condition could raise questions over succession and stability, affecting regional security and international negotiations. How might a shift in North Korea’s leadership influence global security dynamics and Nigeria’s foreign policy or economic interests?

SOURCE: https://www.channelstv.com/2026/09/30/north-korean-leader-extremely-obese-says-seoul-spy-agency/