Image: KCTV, Oct. 12, 2021 | Kim Jong Un, flanked by his sister Kim Yo Jong and top military officials, looks into the camera during his most recent appearance at a missile expo on Oct. 11
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has not made a new appearance in state media for 30 days as of Thursday, marking the longest period of absence from public activities since 2014 and coming amid an uptick in reports of health issues this year.
Kim last appeared in state media on Oct. 12, in coverage of a missile exhibition in Pyongyang the previous day. Since then, satellite imagery has shown increased activity at his east coast beach house and a lakeside mansion near the capital, suggesting he may have spent time at these spots during his current absence.
The DPRK leader’s health has caught the attention of analysts and intelligence agencies this year, as he has taken eight breaks of at least two weeks already since January. Celebrating ten years as North Korea’s ruler next month, Kim only exceeded this number of extended breaks in 2020.
However, the South’s National Intelligence Service (NIS) last month reportedly said they believe Kim remains in good health.
Reports of heart issues emerged in April 2020 and picked up after he returned from a nearly three-week absence using an electric cart to get around a factory — an abnormal sight for Kim — and with a mark on his arm that some experts said could be related to a medical procedure.
After he appeared to lose a large amount of weight during an extended absence in May 2021, he was seen sporting mysterious head bandages and standing on padded mats while giving speeches in recent months. The NIS in October also reportedly acknowledged new “facial skin problems” this year.
But according to North Korean state media, Kim Jong Un is continuing his normal leadership activities despite his absence from public view, reporting on letters he sent to other heads of state in recent days.
Kim Jong Un elevated his own cult of personality by displaying large portraits of himself in military uniform inside the October missile expo | Image: KCNA, Oct. 12, 2021
DUELING YACHTS
During Kim’s longer and increasingly frequent breaks in the last two years, Planet Labs satellite imagery has shown a pattern of activity at his main Wonsan residence and a new mansion built on the east coast in 2019.
This pattern continued in Nov. 2021 in Wonsan and another mansion complex near Pyongyang amid his current absence, new imagery shows.
A 196-foot-long (60-meter-long) luxury pool boat came out from storage at his Wonsan beach home marina from Oct. 29 to Nov. 1, suggesting it may have been used briefly by the North Korean leader or his family.
After not showing signs of activity in 2020, a 230-foot-long (70-meter-long) yacht kept on a lake across from a luxurious golf course near Pyongyang moved to his residence along the shore at the lake on Oct. 14, just days after his appearance at the missile expo. Similar activity appeared between Aug. 14-20 this year while Kim was taking a three-week break from public view.
WHAT’S NEXT
North Korea has not announced any major political events in the coming weeks that would require Kim Jong Un’s attendance, but Pyongyang planners have surprised observers with a number of new spectacles and meetings this year, such as the recent missile expo.
Kim’s next expected appearance is on Dec. 17 for his annual visit to his father Kim Jong Il’s mausoleum on the anniversary of his death.
Kim could make an appearance at an event celebrating a new national holiday called Rocket Industry Day on Nov. 29, but since this is the first year it will be celebrated, it is not clear what kinds of celebrations will be held. The day commemorates the successful 2017 test launch of the country’s largest intercontinental-range ballistic missile (ICBM).
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has not made a new appearance in state media for 30 days as of Thursday, marking the longest period of absence from public activities since 2014 and coming amid an uptick in reports of health issues this year.
Kim last appeared in state media on Oct. 12, in coverage of a missile exhibition in Pyongyang the previous day. Since then, satellite imagery has shown increased activity at his east coast beach house and a lakeside mansion near the capital, suggesting he may have spent time at these spots during his current absence.
