North Korea’s Kim Jong Un was recently photographed out in public with what appeared to be a large green spot on the back of his head, once again fueling speculation about his health — long a topic of global fascination.
Support our journalism. Subscribe today. arrow-right
Another image showed him sporting an oblong bandage over the mark.
The bruise and bandage appeared toward the right side of the 37-year-old dictator’s head during a military meeting held July 24-27, per NK News, a platform dedicated to covering the secretive country. The site added that the mark was visible at other events held between July 27 and 29.
Kim has frequently faced speculation that he is in ill health despite the fact that he is not yet 40. He is widely known for his plump appearance and his chain-smoking.
Story continues below advertisement
In 2014, Kim was spotted limping and vanished from the public eye before returning with a cane. After a mountain hike with President Moon Jae-in of South Korea in 2018, Kim appeared to be breathless, while Moon, who was 68 at the time, seemed unfazed by their climb.
Advertisement
On April 15, 2020, Kim missed the most important date on the North Korean calendar, “The Day of the Sun,” a public holiday dedicated to the birthday of his grandfather. His absence was widely documented and intensified rumors that he was unwell.
“The fact that he missed this really important event and that his younger sister, Kim Yo Jong, has been putting statements out in her own name all add credibly to this idea that he may have had a health incident,” Anna Fifield, former Beijing bureau chief for The Washington Post, explained at the time, adding that any information emerging from the state should be handled with caution.
Is the talk about Kim Jong Un being sick — or worse — true? Pyongyang is abuzz, too.
“Insight into Kim’s health … would be the toughest to get because of North Korea’s robust counterintelligence practices,” former CIA analyst Jung H. Pak said in remarks last year.
Advertisement
Story continues below advertisement
Last year, CNN reported Kim was in “grave danger after surgery,” while TMZ published an article under the headline “Kim Jong-un reportedly dead after botched heart surgery.” The swirling rumors sparked the hashtag #KIMJONGUNDEAD to trend on Twitter.
Most recently, the leader’s dramatic weight loss has further sparked questions about his well-being and rumors he may be suffering from a health condition.
On social media in recent days, some have pondered whether a medical procedure could have left behind a dark mark, while others pointed out that Kim’s grandfather and the founder of North Korea, Kim Il Sung, was also pictured when he was alive with a “tennis ball-sized” growth on the back of his head.
Story continues below advertisement
Kim’s grandfather died of a heart attack in 1994, as did Kim’s father, Kim Jong Il, who died in 2011 at age 69.
Advertisement
Kim Jong Un took over from his father following his death, a move that some hailed as a new beginning for the country, while others raised fears that life under his leadership could become increasingly more unstable.
Read more:
North Korea’s Kim Jong Un acknowledges ‘painful lessons’ as economy suffers
Is the talk about Kim Jong Un being sick — or worse — true? Pyongyang is abuzz, too.
Kim Jong Un appears to be alive after all. So why did CNN and other news outlets report he was on his deathbed?