Kim Jong-un: apparent weight loss prompts speculation over North Korean leader’s health

The North Korean leader, Kim Jong-un, has prompted more speculation about his health after recent photographs suggested he had lost weight.

Kim, whose heavy frame has drawn global interest since he became the country’s leader almost a decade ago, looked noticeably trimmer in images released by state media on Saturday, according to South Korea’s Yonhap news agency.

NK News, which analysed photos of Kim addressing a ruling party politburo meeting late last week – his first public appearance for a month – said he appeared to have lost a “significant amount of weight”.

On Tuesday the Seoul-based website published enlarged images suggesting that Kim, who is believed to be 37, had tightened the strap on his favourite watch, reportedly worth $12,000.