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| North Korea admits to Kim Jong-un’s ill-health for first time | North Korea admits to Kim Jong-un’s ill-health for first time |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| North Korean leader Kim Jong-un is suffering from “discomfort“, a state media report has said in the first official acknowledgement of ill-health after a prolonged period out of the public eye. | North Korean leader Kim Jong-un is suffering from “discomfort“, a state media report has said in the first official acknowledgement of ill-health after a prolonged period out of the public eye. |
| Kim, 31, who is frequently the centrepiece of the isolated country’s propaganda, has not been photographed by state media since appearing at a concert alongside his wife on 3 September, fuelling speculation he is suffering from bad health. | Kim, 31, who is frequently the centrepiece of the isolated country’s propaganda, has not been photographed by state media since appearing at a concert alongside his wife on 3 September, fuelling speculation he is suffering from bad health. |
| “Based on his gait, it appears he has gout – something [due to] diet and genetic predisposition that has affected other members of the Kim family,” said Michael Madden, an expert on the North Korean leadership and contributor to the 38 North website. | |
| Kim had been seen walking with a limp since an event with key officials in July and in a pre-recorded documentary broadcast by state media on Thursday appeared to have difficulty walking. | Kim had been seen walking with a limp since an event with key officials in July and in a pre-recorded documentary broadcast by state media on Thursday appeared to have difficulty walking. |
| “The wealth and prosperity of our socialism is thanks to the painstaking efforts of our marshal, who keeps lighting the path for the people, like the flicker of a flame, despite suffering discomfort,” a voiceover for the hour-long documentary said. | “The wealth and prosperity of our socialism is thanks to the painstaking efforts of our marshal, who keeps lighting the path for the people, like the flicker of a flame, despite suffering discomfort,” a voiceover for the hour-long documentary said. |
| The documentary was followed by a pre-recorded broadcast of a North Korean supreme people’s assembly meeting from which Kim Jong-un was notably absent. | The documentary was followed by a pre-recorded broadcast of a North Korean supreme people’s assembly meeting from which Kim Jong-un was notably absent. |
| Kim has rapidly gained weight since coming to power after his father died of a heart attack in 2011, photos released by state media show. | Kim has rapidly gained weight since coming to power after his father died of a heart attack in 2011, photos released by state media show. |
| North Korea observers have speculated that Kim’s weight and family background may have contributed to his condition. | North Korea observers have speculated that Kim’s weight and family background may have contributed to his condition. |