North Korean dictator Kim Jong-Un has not been seen in public since the 12th of April. This has led to a host of rumours about his whereabouts with some sources suggesting he was dead or in a vegetative state.
The secretive country has not acknowledged these rumours and there has been no recognition of the leader’s absence on state TV. Indeed the BBC”s Seoul correspondent Laura Bicker reported the schedule for the state TV channel on Twitter. Ignoring the obvious breach of sporting rights, there is no Kim.
There have been persistent rumours about the leader’s health since he took office in 2010. He is a known smoker and has been seen walking with a stick after a previous short absence from public life. His weight has also sizeably increased to around 20 stone. It has been reported he has a very indulgent diet.
Former chef Kenji Fujimoto has reported that Kim drinks up to two bottles of £175 Cristal champagne at mealtimes alongside expensive cuts of steak. This is prepared for him by a team of personal chefs.
It has also been reported that he enjoys calorie rich Emmental cheese. This is alongside delicacies such as foie gras and shark fin soup. The latter dish has been widely condemned by animal rights organisation but Kim is not alone with the dish being widely consumed in China.
This seems the height of hypocrisy with much of North Korea’s population malnourished and desperate for food. However, what else do we expect of a dictator?
Credit – Wikipedia
Whilst Kim’s whereabouts remain a mystery with conflicting reports still coming in, there is no doubt he isn’t in great health. Though many will not mourn Kim Jong-Un if he is indeed dead, it could increase instability in an already volatile part of the world.
Check out past highlights of Kim Jong-Un’s attempts at diplomacy by taking a glance at this story.
Featured Image – Kremlin.ru
