During Beijing’s September 3rd military parade, Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin discussed immortality and organ transplants, shocking the public. (Screenshot from NTD video)
[People News] North Korea's supreme leader, Kim Jong-un, attended the military parade in Beijing, appearing alongside Chinese Communist Party General Secretary Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin. This scene has been interpreted by international observers as the emergence of a 'new axis'. However, former South Korean officials have noted that Kim Jong-un, who is overweight, was sweating excessively during the parade, indicating potential health issues. Given his previous cardiovascular stent surgery, there are concerns that he may struggle to reach the age of 50.
A significant highlight of this year's Beijing military parade was Kim Jong-un's unprecedented appearance with his daughter, Kim Ju-ae. An unnamed former senior official from South Korea's Ministry of Unification told Deutsche Welle on the 4th that this move carries dual significance; on one hand, it represents typical 'successor training'.
Since 2022, Kim Jong-un has been bringing Kim Ju-ae to various important events, personally demonstrating how to command generals and technical personnel. Ding Shih-huan, who served as the Minister of Unification during the administrations of Kim Dae-jung and Roh Moo-hyun, stated on CBS television on the 4th that it is widely recognised within North Korea that Kim Ju-ae is the designated successor. The media's references to her have evolved from 'dear child' to 'respected child', and now to 'new star general'.
Additionally, this senior official believes that this also highlights Kim Jong-un's personal 'daughter complex'. Beyond the iron-fisted image of a dictator, he seems to desire his daughter’s presence, which serves as both an emotional expression and a subtle form of political education.
In 1979, An Chan-il, a former North Korean soldier who defected to South Korea and is now the chairman of the World North Korean Research Centre, a registered organisation under the South Korean Ministry of Unification, told Deutsche Welle that Kim Ju-ae's public appearances are part of a systematic arrangement. 'Kim Ju-ae has given up on studying abroad. However, since she is still a minor, it cannot be definitively stated that she has been confirmed as the successor; at this stage, she is only undergoing training as an heir.'
He also predicted that in the future, when Kim Jong-un visits Moscow or possibly meets with former U.S. President Donald Trump again, he will likely bring Kim Ju-ae along. 'Kim Ju-ae is a unique presence at the moment; even though her mother, Ri Sol-ju, is still alive, Kim Ju-ae is already taking on the responsibilities of the First Lady.'
Meanwhile, concerns about Kim Jong-un's health were raised during the September 3 military parade.
An Chan-il speculated that this might lead Kim Jong-un to expedite his succession plans. Kim Jong-un has previously undergone cardiovascular stent surgery, and his obesity and excessive sweating were clearly visible during the parade. It is feared that he may struggle to live past 50; being in power for another 10 years would be the maximum.'
In 2020, reports from the defector-run Daily North Korea indicated that Kim Jong-un's health had already been compromised due to long-term smoking, obesity, and overwork, and it had recently worsened sharply, prompting him to undergo cardiovascular surgery.
Kim Jong-un's father, Kim Jong-il, and grandfather, Kim Il-sung, both died of heart disease. He is approximately 170 cm tall, but once weighed as much as 140 kg; although he appeared to have lost a significant amount of weight in 2021, recent images from state media show that he has gained weight again.
The Associated Press reported that two South Korean lawmakers referenced a statement from the National Intelligence Service, which indicated that 'based on available intelligence, North Korean officials are persistently trying to acquire new medications from abroad to address Kim Jong-un's potential hypertension and diabetes.' Lawmaker Lee Seong Kweun noted that Kim Jong-un's weight is estimated to have reached 140 kilograms, categorising him as being in a high-risk group for heart disease; he has also shown symptoms of hypertension and diabetes since the age of 30. △
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