North Koreans worried after Kim Jong Un appears to be ’emaciated’: Report

According to state media, North Koreans are worried over leader Kim Jong Un‘s apparent weight loss. The news was confirmed by an unidentified resident of Pyongyang on the country’s tightly controlled state media. This comes after recent video footage of an emaciated Jong Un came to the fore. 

According to a Reuters report, the rare public comment on Kim’s health came after foreign analysts noted that the autocratic leader appeared to have lost weight.

“Seeing respected general secretary (Kim Jong Un) looking emaciated breaks our people’s heart so much,” Reuters quoted a man as saying in an interview aired by state broadcaster KRT on Friday.

“Everyone is saying that their tears welled up,” he said.

In the clip, which is doing rounds on social media, Pyongyang residents were seen watching a big screen on the street showing a concert attended by Kim and party officials.

However, the broadcast did not divulge details on weight loss.

When Jong Un reappeared in state media in June, a Seoul-based website found that his wristwatch was fastened more tightly around an apparently slimmer wrist.

Given Jong Un’s tight grip on North Korea, international media and spy agencies keep a close watch on his health, Reuters reported.

Last year, speculations about his ill-health were rife after he missed the birth anniversary celebrations of state founder Kim Il Sung on April 15. However, he reappeared in early May.