North Korean leader Kim Jong-un is reportedly grooming his young daughter for leadership amid growing concerns about his health, according to South Korean intelligence sources.
The 40-year-old dictator believed to be suffering from high blood pressure and diabetes, has gained significant weight, tipping the scales at 140kg (22st) despite his height of 170cm.
His health issues have sparked speculation about the future leadership of the isolated nation, as the North Korean leader may be training daughter Kim Ju-ae to take over.
Kim Jong-un, known for his heavy smoking and drinking habits, comes from a family with a history of heart problems. His father, Kim Jong-il, died of a heart attack in 2011, and his grandfather, Kim Il-sung, also succumbed to a sudden heart attack in 1994.
The South Korean National Intelligence Service (NIS) has observed that Kim appears to have regained the weight he lost around 2021. The NIS informed South Korean lawmakers that Kim’s current weight and health conditions place him at high risk for heart disease.
Amid these health concerns, Kim’s daughter, Kim Ju-ae, is reportedly being prepared as a potential successor. Although she is not officially named as the next Supreme Leader, the NIS believes she is approximately 11 years old and undergoing training for future leadership.
Kim Ju-ae has been increasingly visible in public, accompanying her father to numerous events since late 2022, fueling speculation about her future role.
“Kim Ju-ae is hinted at as a strong successor and is undergoing successor training”, NIS secretary Park Sun-won noted. “How North Korea refers to Kim Ju-ae and what activities she appears in are very significant.”
Intelligence Committee secretary Lee Seong-won added: “Kim Jong-un is extremely obese, weighing 140kg and in his 40s with a body mass index that greatly exceeds the normal level … putting him at high risk for heart disease.
He also said that Kim has exhibited symptoms of high blood pressure and diabetes since his early 30s and that his current health could lead to cardiovascular disease, a condition prevalent in his family history.
Kim Jong-un‘s heavy drinking and smoking are also suspected to contribute to his weight gain. He reportedly kept his 40th birthday celebrations low-key due to his health concerns earlier this year.
Despite these issues, state media recently showed Kim making public appearances as North Korea deals with a flood crisis.