2nd October 2026 – (Seoul) South Korea’s National Intelligence Service submitted an assessment on Wednesday, 30th September, stating that North Korean leader Kim Jong‑un currently weighs more than 140 kilograms, placing him in a category of severe obesity and at high risk of cardiovascular disease. The agency said that despite the risk factors, his condition shows no abnormality under round‑the‑clock monitoring by a dedicated medical team, noting he can still move freely, including climbing stairs with ease. The NIS also, for the first time, provided indicative physical data for Kim’s daughter, Kim Ju‑ae, describing her as the likely successor and saying her status appears to be steadily consolidating.
Citing the intelligence briefing, lawmaker Yoon Kun‑young said the 40‑year‑old leader’s weight has exceeded 140 kilograms. Past reporting has highlighted Kim’s taste for costly delicacies such as caviar, lobster and foie gras, alongside a heavy smoking habit, factors seen as contributing to weight gain. With both his grandfather Kim Il‑sung and father Kim Jong‑il known to have struggled with obesity and smoking and to have died of heart attacks, scrutiny of Kim’s health has remained intense.
The NIS recalled that in 2020 Kim sparked serious illness rumours after missing the “Day of the Sun” commemorations for nearly 20 days. By contrast, he has attended 121 public events so far this year, an increase of about 30 per cent from the same period last year, and has recently been observed briskly ascending stairs without difficulty. Backed by a specialist medical team that monitors him continuously, the agency’s overall assessment is that his health is broadly stable at present.
The agency’s report to parliament also gave an estimated height of around 160 centimetres and a weight of more than 50 kilograms for Kim Ju‑ae. She has made 30 public appearances this year, expanding beyond an earlier focus on military settings to include civic, political and diplomatic engagements. South Korean authorities judge that her position as the designated successor is becoming more firmly established.
