According to North Korean media, the country’s citizens are reportedly concerned about Kim Jong Un’s recent weight loss. “Seeing respected general secretary (Kim) looking emaciated breaks our people’s heart so much,” an unnamed man told the DPRK’s state-run TV broadcaster on June 25. 

While the country’s tightly controlled media landscape is not the best resource for analyzing sincere public opinion, cultural and historical dynamics suggest that North Koreans would genuinely be concerned about Kim’s health. 

Outside observers have been puzzled by the seemingly obvious waist size disparities in North Korea well before Kim. Founding leader Kim Il Sung appeared morbily