You probably remember the photos. It was mid-2021, and the world’s most reclusive leader stepped onto a stage looking like a different person. For years, we were used to a certain silhouette—a man who, according to South Korean intelligence, tipped the scales at roughly 140 kilograms (about 308 pounds). Then, suddenly, the "skinny Kim Jong Un" era began. His face was angular. His signature high-waisted trousers looked baggy. Even his $12,000 IWC Portofino watch was fastened tighter, a detail that North Korea watchers obsessively measured to calculate his weight loss.
But why does a dictator's waistline matter? Honestly, in North Korea, health isn't just a personal matter; it’s a national security issue.
The Summer of the Slim Kim
The transformation wasn't subtle. Between May and June 2021, Kim vanished for about a month. When he reappeared at a Politburo meeting, he had shed an estimated 20 to 44 pounds (10 to 20 kg). This wasn't just Western tabloids being nosey. It was so obvious that even North Korean state media—which usually treats the leader's body as a sacred, infallible vessel—actually addressed it.
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In a move that stunned analysts, Korean Central Television (KCTV) aired a clip of a "heartbroken" citizen in Pyongyang. The man looked into the camera and said the people’s hearts "ached" to see the leader looking so "emaciated."
Why the sudden change?
- The Diet Theory: Some experts, including those at the South Korean National Intelligence Service (NIS), suggested this was a conscious lifestyle change. Kim is a known heavy smoker and fan of fine spirits and Swiss cheese. Given his family history—both his father and grandfather died of heart failure—a health kick made sense.
- The Illness Theory: Rapid weight loss in a heavy smoker often triggers "the big C" rumors or whispers of heart surgery. However, Kim remained active, which usually points away from a debilitating illness.
- The "Solidarity" Move: At the time, North Korea was facing "tense" food shortages and a brutal COVID-19 lockdown. Appearing slimmer could have been a calculated propaganda move to show he was suffering alongside his people. "Look, the Marshal is skipping meals too," the narrative suggested.
The 2024-2026 Rebound: What We See Now
If you’ve looked at the news lately, you’ll notice the "skinny" phase didn't last forever. By late 2024 and moving into early 2026, the weight has largely returned.
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According to a closed-door briefing by the NIS in mid-2024, Kim Jong Un’s weight climbed back up to that 140kg mark. Intelligence reports suggest he is currently in a "high-risk" group for cardiovascular disease. It’s not just the scale, either. South Korean spies have reportedly tracked North Korean officials searching abroad for new medications to treat high blood pressure and diabetes—symptoms Kim has allegedly dealt with since his early 30s.
The Health-Succession Connection
Why are we still talking about this in 2026? Because there is still no clear successor.
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While his daughter, Kim Ju-ae, has been appearing at more military events and New Year's celebrations (most recently in January 2026), she is still a teenager. If Kim’s health fluctuates wildly due to obesity-related issues, the stability of a nuclear-armed state hangs in the balance. When he looks "skinny," the world asks if he's dying. When he looks "heavy," the world asks when his heart might give out.
Actionable Insights: Monitoring the Situation
For those tracking North Korean stability, the physical appearance of the leadership remains one of the few "open source" intelligence tools we have. Here is how to interpret these shifts going forward:
- Watch the Wardrobe: State media often tailors Kim’s suits to hide weight gain. Look at the fit of the collar and the wrist; these are harder to mask than the waistline.
- Check the Gait: In the "Great Victorious Year" propaganda film, Kim was seen struggling with stairs. Labored breathing or a limp often precedes a long public absence.
- Follow the Pharmacy: Reports of North Korean "medical surveys" or outreach to foreign doctors (often in China or Europe) are usually better indicators of health than a single photo.
- Succession Staging: The more Kim’s health appears to struggle, the more frequently we will see Kim Ju-ae or his sister, Kim Yo-jong, in high-profile roles.
The "skinny Kim Jong Un" era may have been a brief flash of health-consciousness or a clever bit of "hunger-poverty" cosplay, but the long-term trend suggests a return to the status quo. His health remains the single biggest wild card in East Asian geopolitics.